Critical appraisal of total gastrectomy plus total colectomy with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy as a treatment for advanced pseudomyxoma peritonei.

BACKGROUND: The absolute requirement for a long-term favorable result with cytoreductive surgery for pseudomyxoma peritonei is a complete resection of all visible disease. A combination of parietal peritonectomy procedures and visceral resections is required for this to occur. The cytoreductive surgery is supplemented by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. METHODS: We searched our database and secured files for patients who required a total gastrectomy and a total colectomy to achieve a complete cytoreductive surgery. Survival of low-grade mucinous neoplasm (LAMN) and mucinous appendiceal adenocarcinoma (MACA) histologies were determined. Clinical and histologic variables were assessed for their impact on survival. RESULTS: Thirteen of 450 patients (2.9%) with LAMN histology and 14 of 186 patients (7.5%) with MACA histology had these visceral resections. Median survival of these 27 patients was 10 years. LAMN and MACA patients showed the same survival. For LAMN histology, this requirement for extensive visceral resection markedly reduced survival (p < 0.0001). For MACA, there was no adverse impact on survival (p = 0.4359). Class 4 adverse events caused reduced survival (p = 0.0014). CONCLUSIONS: A 10-year median survival accompanies total gastrectomy plus total colectomy for advanced pseudomyxoma peritonei. Systemic chemotherapy and class 4 adverse events reduced survival.

Critical reappraisal of prognostic indicators for 949 mucinous appendiceal neoplasm patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The standard of care for treatment of an appendiceal mucinous neoplasm with peritoneal dissemination is cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). These two treatments are combined in the operating room. A crucial requirement for benefit long-term is proper patient selection. Clinical and histopathologic prognostic indicators are used, along with the patient's fitness for surgery, to select patients to receive CRS and HIPEC. METHODS: This study seeks to identify the reliable prognostic indicators for four different groups of patients. They are (1) the low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (LAMN) with a complete CRS, (2) the mucinous appendiceal adenocarcinomas (MACA) with complete CRS, (3) MACA with lymph node metastases (MACA-LN) with complete CRS, and (4) all histologic subtypes with incomplete cytoreduction. The prognostic indicators were evaluated for their impact on overall survival in these four groups of patients. RESULTS: The completeness of cytoreduction (CC) score statistically significantly showed survival differences in all three histologic subtypes. The peritoneal cancer index (PCI) showed significance with LAMN and MACA-LN but not with MACA and not with incomplete CRS. The prior surgical score (PSS) was a prognostic indicator that predicted the outcome with LAMN, MACA-LN, and incomplete CRS patients but not with the MACA group. Patients who were symptomatic or who had extensive systemic chemotherapy before CRS had a significantly reduced survival. CONCLUSION: The utility of prognostic indicators varied greatly within our four different groups of appendiceal mucinous neoplasms. CC score was always a reliable prognosticator. Surprisingly, PCI was not.

Laparoscopic versus open approach for interval cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer: a matched comparative study.

BACKGROUND: The use of the laparoscopic approach for the treatment of carcinomatosis from epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the short-term outcomes of both laparoscopic and open approach for interval CRS+HIPEC in a matched cohort of patients with advanced EOC. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database including 254 patients treated with interval CRS-HIPEC between January 2016 and December 2021 was performed. Patients with primary disease and limited carcinomatosis (PCI ≤ 10) were selected. A comparative analysis of patients treated by either open (O-CRS-HIPEC) or the laparoscopic (L-CRS-HIPEC) approach was conducted. Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and perioperative outcomes were analysed. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients were finally selected and enrolled into two comparable groups in this study. Of these, 14 patients were treated by interval L-CRS-HIPEC and 39 by interval O-CRS-HIPEC. The L-CRS-HIPEC group had a shorter hospital stay (5.6 ± 1.9 vs. 9.7 ± 9.8 days; p < 0.001) and a shorter time to return to systemic chemotherapy (4.3 ± 1.9 vs. 10.3 ± 16.8 weeks; p = 0.003). There were no significant differences in postoperative complications between both groups. The 2-year OS and DFS was 100% and 62% in the L-CRS-HIPEC group versus 92% and 60% in the O-CRS-HIPEC group, respectively (p = 0.96; p = 0.786). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the use of interval L-CRS-HIPEC for primary advanced EOC is associated with shorter hospital stay and return to systemic treatment while obtaining similar oncological results compared to the open approach. Further prospective research is needed to recommend this new approach for these strictly selected patients.

Secondary cytoreductive surgery for 86 patients with mucinous appendiceal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: After patients have a surgical procedure for a gastrointestinal cancer, follow-up is indicated. If cancer progression is documented in patients with mucinous appendiceal adenocarcinoma (MACA), a secondary cytoreductive surgery (SCRS) may be considered. METHODS: In patients who had a prior complete cytoreductive surgery (CRS), variables associated with the index CRS and SCRS were extracted. These variables were statistically assessed for their impact on survival. RESULTS: Of 198 MACA patients, 86 (43.4%) had SCRS. The median follow-up was 5.0 years and the median survival was 7 years. Significant prognostic variables associated with the index CRS by univariant analysis was histopathologic grade of MACA-Intermediate (MACA-Int) as compared to other MACA histologic subtypes (p = 0.0164). Significant prognostic variables associated with the SCRS were bowel obstruction (p = 0.0149), interval of CRS to SCRS (p = 0.0059), and completeness of cytoreduction (p = 0.0014). CONCLUSIONS: In the analysis of variables from SCRS, the interval from CRS to SCRS ≤24 months indicates an aggressive biology of the disease. The CC score of complete versus incomplete decreased median survival from 11 to 4 years. A composite of these two variables allowed prediction of survival of 50% when patients showed these two favorable variables and only 9.1% when these variables were unfavorable.

Palliation of mucinous appendiceal neoplasms with peritoneal metastases with total abdominal colectomy.

BACKGROUND: Incomplete cytoreduction for mucinous appendiceal neoplasms is often required to temporarily alleviate symptoms. The surgical technology for this intervention may be complex and result in extensive morbidity and even mortality. Knowledgeable patient selection for this surgery is mandatory. METHODS: A database was used to identify patients who had palliative surgery that included total abdominal colectomy (TAC). Clinical- and treatment-related variables were assessed for their impact on overall survival. RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients had an incomplete cytoreductive surgery (CRS) that included a TAC. The median survival was 2.5 years and the median follow-up was 2 years. Patients with symptoms of abdominal distention and ascites showed a reduced prognosis (p = 0.0254). The low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (LAMN) and mucinous appendiceal adenocarcinoma intermediate type (MACA-Int) grouped together showed a prolonged survival (p = 0.0003). MACA with positive lymph nodes showed a reduced survival (p = 0.0009) when compared to MACA patients without positive lymph nodes. A peritoneal cancer index of 1-30 versus >30 and completeness of cytoreduction score of 2 versus 3 were not significant. CONCLUSION: TAC with end ileostomy was used as a treatment option to provide palliation of patients having an incomplete CRS for appendiceal mucinous neoplasms. With LAMN or MACA-Int, median survival was 5.0 years. The surgery can be performed with a morbidity of 9.0% and mortality of 2.6%. Although not considered a palliative option in the past, these data suggest TAC may be used with acceptable results in this group of patients.

Total abdominal colectomy to facilitate complete cytoreduction in 56 patients with mucinous appendiceal neoplasms with peritoneal metastases.

BACKGROUND: Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy are currently the standard of care for management of appendiceal mucinous neoplasms with peritoneal metastases. The goal of the CRS is complete removal of all visible disease through the use of peritonectomy procedures and visceral resections. One of the major resections that may be required is total abdominal colectomy (TAC). METHODS: From a database and secured files of patients having a complete CRS, all patients who had TAC were identified. The clinical and histologic variables associated with these patients were identified and assessed for their impact on overall survival. RESULTS: The 450 complete CRS with low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms had 26 TAC (5.8%) with a 16.0-year median survival. The mucinous adenocarcinoma (MACA)-Intermediate (MACA-Int) group consisted of 37 patients with 8 patients (21.6%) having TAC that resulted in a median survival of 11.5 years. The 159 complete CRS with MACA had 22 TAC (13.8%) with a median survival of 7.5 years. There was a single mortality with a class 4 adverse event in 5 patients (10.7%). With a class 4 adverse event, survival decreased significantly (p = 0.0006, hazard ratio: 6.2). CONCLUSION: Complete CRS required TAC in 56 of 646 patients (8.7%) with appendiceal mucinous neoplasms. With TAC, median survival was 12.0 years. A class 4 adverse event markedly reduced survival.

Prognostic indicators for colorectal peritoneal metastases are different for patients with complete versus incomplete cytoreductive surgery.

BACKGROUND: In the management of peritoneal metastases in patients with colorectal cancer, the completeness of cytoreduction has consistently been the most prominent prognostic indicator. Other clinical and histologic features have been described that may also have an impact on survival. METHODS: The colorectal peritoneal metastases patients treated by cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy were divided into two groups. One group had complete CRS and the second group had an incomplete CRS. The prognostic variables in these two groups of patients were statistically analyzed for their impact on survival. RESULTS: In the complete CRS group of 124 patients lymph node positivity, poorly differentiated histopathology, asymptomatic status following treatment with systemic chemotherapy, incomplete response to systemic chemotherapy, and moderate to high peritoneal cancer index showed a significantly reduced survival. All five of these prognostic variables ceased to show statistical significance in the group of 82 patients with incomplete cytoreduction. CONCLUSION: The cause for significance of five prognostic indicators identified in patients with complete cytoreduction versus loss of significance of these indicators in patients with incomplete cytoreduction has not been determined. An absence of residual disease in complete CRS patients and a widely variable extent of residual disease in incomplete CRS patients may be important. Prognostic indicators in patients with colorectal peritoneal metastases find their greatest usefulness in patients who have had a complete cytoreduction.

Learning curve for minimal invasive cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) procedures.

PURPOSE: The benefits of the minimally invasive approach for performing cytoreductive surgery plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (L-CRS + HIPEC) have been described previously, associating an early recovery with similar oncologic outcomes in patients with limited peritoneal carcinomatosis. Currently, no studies are focusing on the learning curve for this emerging procedure. This study aimed to evaluate the L-CRS + HIPEC learning curve and its knock-on effect on the perioperative outcomes. METHODS: We identified all consecutive unselected patients who underwent L-CRS + HIPEC by a single surgeon between April 2016 and January 2022 (n = 51). Patients who underwent risk-reducing CRS + HIPEC (PCI = 0) or initial conversion due to an intraoperative PCI > 10 were excluded from the final analysis. To evaluate the learning curve, perioperative data were analysed using the cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were included in the final analysis. Major morbidity occurred in one patient (3.8%). The difficulty of the L-CRS + HIPEC procedures was categorised as low in 23.1% (n = 6), intermediate in 19.2% (n = 5), and advanced in 57.7% (n = 15). The mean length of hospital stay was 5.4 ± 1.5 days. No patient had a conversion to open surgery. The learning curve was divided into two distinct phases: the learning phase (1-14) and the consolidation phase (15-26). A significant decrease in the operative time (375 ± 103.1 vs 239.2 ± 63.6 min) was observed with no differences in complexity, the number of peritonectomy procedures, or morbidity. CONCLUSION: L-CRS + HIPEC is a complex procedure that must be performed in a high-volume and experienced oncologic unit, requiring a learning curve to achieve the consolidation condition, which could be established after 14 procedures.

Secondary cytoreductive surgery for low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: In patients with low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (LAMN), a secondary cytoreductive surgery (SCRS) is often performed if recurrent disease is detected. METHODS: In patients with a complete cytoreductive surgery (CRS), the clinical- and treatment-related variables associated with the index CRS and the SCRS were statistically assessed for their impact on overall survival after SCRS. RESULTS: Eighty-eight patients of 450 patients (19.6%) had SCRS. The mean survival was 15.3 years for patients requiring SCRS as compared to 24.5 years for the group as a whole. Variables associated with improved survival as a result of the index CRS by multivariant modeling were absence of total gastrectomy (p = 0.0038), moderate peritoneal cancer index of 15-30 (p = 0.0020) and time interval of greater than 36 months from CRS to SCRS (p = 0.0013). Multivariant modeling associated with SCRS were complete CRS (p = 0.0104) and disease progression limited to the abdominal wall (p = 0.0106). Early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC) 5-fluorouracil used with CRS improved the outcome with SCRS (p = 0.0095). CONCLUSIONS: A requirement for SCRS in 88 patients decreased median survival to 15.3 years as compared to 24.5 years in all 450 LAMN patients (p < 0.0001). Prognostic indicators from both the index CRS and the SCRS had an impact on the outcome of SCRS.

Incomplete cytoreduction with peritoneal metastases from appendiceal mucinous neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: Complete cytoreductive surgery (CRS) plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy is the standard of care for mucinous appendiceal neoplasms with peritoneal metastases. Despite many publications regarding selection factors favoring a complete CRS, incomplete CRS does occur. Patients with an incomplete CRS are the focus of this manuscript. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of prospective, histologic, and perioperative data was performed. Overall survival was the endpoint for the numerous assessments. Judgments regarding when to and when not to proceed with an incomplete CRS were sought. RESULTS: From a database of 949 patients who underwent an index CRS for appendiceal mucinous neoplasm, 264 patients (27.8%) had an incomplete CRS. The median overall survival was 1.8 years. Low-grade histopathology and absence of tense ascites or bowel obstruction were significantly associated with increased overall survival. More extensive surgery suggested a more favorable outcome. CONCLUSIONS: When a surgeon is confronted by a procedure that will inevitably end with an incomplete CRS, a current trend is to close quickly and always avoid complications. Patients with low-grade neoplasms who present in the absence of tense ascites or bowel obstruction may gain years of survival by surgical reduction of tumor burden.

Revised prognostic indicators for treatment of lymph node positive colorectal peritoneal metastases.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal metastases from colon and rectal cancer presents a new target for a regional approach to treatment. Proper patient selection requires an understanding of the natural history of the disease progression. METHODS: Data from colorectal cancer patients treated for peritoneal metastases by cytoreductive surgery (CRS) plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy and early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy and the records from the primary colon or rectal cancer surgery were analyzed to assess their impact on survival. Data regarding the anatomic sites of colorectal peritoneal metastases was gathered at the time of a complete CRS. RESULTS: A cohort of 73 patients with peritoneal metastases and lymph node metastases but no liver metastases provided the information. All patients had a complete cytoreduction. Left-sided primary cancer and a complete or near complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) indicated improved survival. Tumor progression within the abdominal incision, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) >10, peritoneal cancer index >9 and peritoneal metastases present in the abdominopelvic regions 6 and 11 carried an especially guarded prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced survival occurred with a right-sided or rectal primary cancer, a CEA >10, tumor cell entrapment, and involvement of abdominopelvic regions 6 and 11. Effective NAC showed a favorable outcome.

Laparoscopic total pelvic peritonectomy for colorectal cancer pelvic carcinomatosis: a retrospective case series and photographic/videographic step-by-step guide.

BACKGROUND: Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) for colorectal cancer peritoneal carcinomatosis has been shown to prolong survival with acceptable morbidity rates. Total pelvic peritonectomy (TPP), or complete removal of all pelvic peritoneum, constitutes an important and technically challenging component of CRS. Here we report our experience and describe our technique of laparoscopic total pelvic peritonectomy (LTPP), using a photographic/videographic step-by-step guide. METHODS: All patients who underwent LTPP for pelvic carcinomatosis from a colorectal origin were included in the study. Only patients with peritoneal cancer index (PCI) score of ≤ 10 were selected for CRS with LTPP. Patients who had extra-abdominopelvic cavity metastases were excluded. The final decision to proceed with CRS was made following laparoscopic assessment. RESULTS: From January 2017 to December 2020, 15 consecutive patients underwent LTPP for colorectal cancer pelvic carcinomatosis. Median patient age and PCI score was 53 years (range 33-78) and 8 (range 3-10), respectively. Complete cytoreduction was achieved in all patients. Thirteen patients (87%) underwent concomitant hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). The median operative duration was 748 min (interquartile range [IQR] 681-850). Median intra-operative blood loss and length of hospital stay was 100 ml (IQR 50-300) and 10 days (IQR 8-12), respectively. Five patients (33%) experienced 30-day post-operative morbidity, with one (6.7%) experiencing a higher grade (Clavien-Dindo IIIa) complication. Median follow-up duration was 13 months (IQR 3-19), during which four (27%) had systemic recurrence and one (6.7%) died after 15 months following peritoneal and systemic recurrences. CONCLUSION: LTPP is a feasible option for low-volume pelvic carcinomatosis from colorectal cancer, offering the benefits of a minimally invasive approach. Strict patient selection is essential, and the procedure should be converted if the PCI score cannot be assessed or complete cytoreduction cannot be achieved. Proficiency at laparoscopic pelvic surgery is mandatory for performing LTPP.

Limitations of laparoscopy to assess the peritoneal cancer index and eligibility for cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC in peritoneal metastasis.

PURPOSE: We aimed to determine the value of laparoscopy to assess the intra-abdominal tumor extent and predict complete cytoreduction. METHODS: All patients at our department in the period from 2017 to 2021 that underwent laparoscopy to assess peritoneal metastasis and subsequent open exploration with the intention to perform cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with HIPEC were retrospectively identified in a continuously maintained database. RESULTS: Forty-three patients were analyzed. Peritoneal cancer index (PCI) determination by laparoscopy compared to open surgery was overestimated in five patients (11.6%), identical in eleven patients (25.6%), and underestimated in 27 patients (62.8%). PCI differences were independent of surgeons, tumor entities, and prior chemotherapy. Thirty-four patients (79.1%) were determined eligible for CRS with HIPEC during open exploration, whereas nine patients (20.9%) underwent a non-therapeutic laparotomy. Complete or almost complete cytoreduction was achieved in 33 patients (76.7%). In one patient, completeness of cytoreduction was not documented. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate a moderate agreement according to weighted Cohen's kappa analysis of PCI values calculated during laparoscopy and subsequent open exploration for CRS with HIPEC. Uncertainty of PCI assessment should therefore be kept in mind when performing laparoscopy in patients with peritoneal metastasis.

Feasibility and rationale of a novel approach in advanced ovarian cancer surgery: Bat- shaped en-bloc total peritonectomy and total hysterectomy salpingo-oophorectomy with or without rectosigmoid resection (Sarta-Bat approach).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of bat-shaped en-bloc total peritonectomy and total hysterectomy-salpingo-oophorectomy with or without rectosigmoid resection as a novel approach in advanced ovarian cancer surgery. METHODS: Advanced ovarian cancer patients with widespread peritoneal implants requiring total peritonectomy were the subject of the study. Thirteen cases were operated with Sarta-Bat approach between February 2019 and July 2020. Patients' clinical and surgical data were collected and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Median age of the patients was 52 (40-65). Histopathology of the tumors were high-grade serous carcinoma in 12 (92.3%) and carcinosarcoma in one (7.7%) cases and all of them originated from the ovary. Eight (61.5%), two (15.4%) and three (23.1%) patients were stage 3c, 4a, and 4b, respectively. Upper abdomen was involved in all cases. Nine cases underwent primary cytoreductive and four cases interval cytoreductive surgery. Sarta-Bat approach was performed as en-bloc total peritonectomy, total hysterectomy bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with rectosigmoid resection in three and without rectosigmoid resection in 10 cases. Final surgery resulted in complete cytoreduction (no macroscopic residual) in all cases, with acceptable grade 2-3 morbidity rates. CONCLUSION: Sarta-Bat approach is a feasible and convenient technique for cytoreductive surgery of advanced ovarian cancer with disseminated peritoneal metastases.

Treatment of advanced pseudomyxoma peritonei using cytoreductive surgery including total gastrectomy and perioperative chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Pseudomyxoma peritonei is a disease caused by the widespread distribution of mucinous tumor into the peritoneal space from a perforated appendiceal neoplasm. METHODS: All patients in this study had cytoreductive surgery with total gastrectomy plus perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy. A high diverting jejunostomy was used on all patients. Patient characteristics, adverse events, and survival were accumulated prospectively. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients were available for long-term follow-up. In the univariate analysis, features associated with a less favorable outcome included female gender (p = 0.0127), intestinal obstruction before treatment (p = 0.00791), and prior surgical score (PSS) (p = 0.0054). In the multivariate analysis, the two significant variables were grade (p = 0.0458) and PSS (p = 0.0041). Median survival was 12 years with a 5-, 10-, and 20-year survival of 76%, 58%, and 37%, respectively. There were two postoperative deaths (3.4%) and Grades 3 and 4 adverse events in 20 (34.5%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: A 10-year survival after cytoreductive surgery, total gastrectomy with temporary high diverting jejunostomy, and perioperative chemotherapy occurred in 58% of these patients with advanced pseudomyxoma peritonei. High-grade disease and extensive prior surgery with a high PSS were associated with reduced benefit.

When and how should peritoneal endometriosis be operated on in order to improve fertility rates and symptoms? The experience and outcomes of nearly 100 cases.

PURPOSE: To analyze the follow-up results of patients suffering from symptomatic early-stage endometriosis after a consistent laparoscopic peritoneal stripping of the altered peritoneum (peritoneal endometriosis and surrounding inflamed tissue) was performed. This type of endometriosis is resistant to medical therapy and/or impairs fertility. METHODS: Using our prospectively maintained database, we were able to identify all symptomatic women with the suspicion of only peritoneal endometriosis who underwent laparoscopy at our endometriosis center over a period of 5 years. All procedures were carried out in a standardized fashion by one single surgeon, who is highly experienced in minimal invasive surgery, and included a suspended hormonal pretreatment for 2 months. Postoperative outcomes including complications, fertility and recurrence rates were analysed. RESULTS: Laparoscopic peritonectomy was performed on 94 women. Follow-up data were available in 87% of these cases. At the time of surgery, almost all patients tested showed signs of stage I or II endometriosis (44.7 and 48.9%, respectively). More than three-quarters of the women reported pain relief, inter alia, due to the post-surgical hormonal therapy. About one-third of the patients wanted to have children after the procedure. 62% of them became pregnant and the majority did so without the need for assisted reproductive therapy. In seven women a re-operation was performed. CONCLUSION: According to our data, a consistent excision of altered peritoneum followed by adjuvant hormonal therapy and multimodal concepts results in better outcomes for the patient, particularly in regards to pregnancy and recurrence rates.

Possible Role of the Posterior Compartment Peritonectomy, as a Part of the Complex Surgery, Regarding Recurrence Rate, Improvement of Symptoms and Fertility Rate in Patients with Endometriosis, Long-Term Follow-Up.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Beside the pain, there are 2 further problems in the management of endometriosis: the high recurrence rate (10% per year) and the high rate of impaired fertility. The objective of this study was to investigate the pathogenesis of these 2 factors. DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study, and the aim is to evaluate the complete excision of endometriotic lesions, including the posterior compartment of the peritoneum, with regard to postoperative outcome, focusing on relieving pain, increasing fertility rate, and decreasing recurrence rate. SETTING: Charité-University Clinic, Department of Gynaecology, Endometriosis research Centre. PATIENTS: Fifty-four patients were enrolled in this study, with severe deep infiltrating endometriosis (scored by ENZIAN) and superficial endometriosis, as well as endometriomas (revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine [rASRM] I = 3; II = 15; III = 10; and IV = 26). INTERVENTIONS: Posterior compartment peritonectomy (visible endometriotic lesions and inflamed altered peritoneum) was performed in all patients as part of a complex surgery: complete excision of endometriosis. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Postoperative outcomes were evaluated, based on the postoperative follow-up (up to 5 years) of 54 investigated patients. In 36 women (66%) preoperative complaints were eliminated. Furthermore, of 28 women seeking improved fertility, pregnancy was reported in 13 cases (46%). In 7 (54%) cases pregnancy occurred spontaneously, and in the remainder with assisted fertilization. In addition, long-term follow-up demonstrated a recurrence rate in 1.8% of patients. CONCLUSION: Overall, the number of complaints was significantly reduced. Only in the case of reproductive-aged women with ongoing postoperative complaints was it important to preserve the uterus. Although this pilot study on systematic posterior peritonectomy showed improvement in recurrence and fertility rate, the main question remains: will this surgical technique achieve better results and outcomes in the future? This has to be addressed in a prospective randomized study.

Complete laparoscopic pelvic peritonectomy plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to present the technique for, and early results of complete laparoscopic pelvic peritonectomy (LPP) plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). METHODS: We conducted a study on consecutive patients who had LPP for limited peritoneal carcinomatosis (peritoneal carcinomatosis index < 10) from ovarian cancer, colon cancer and benign multicystic mesothelioma, from January 2017 to November 2019 at 2 referral centers in Spain. Perioperative, pathologic, 30-day major morbidity and mortality characteristics were analyzed. The surgical technique is shown in the attached video. RESULTS: Twelve LPP + HIPEC were performed. Complete cytoreduction was achieved in 100% of the patients, the median duration of the operation was 450 min (range 360-600 min). There were 2 cases (16%) of IIIa morbidity (trocar hernia and pleural effusion), and no mortality. The median length of hospital stay was 5.5 days (range 4-10 days). The median length of follow-up was 10 months (range 2-30 months). There was a recurrence at the splenic hilum in 1 patient which was treated by laparoscopic splenectomy and one nodal recurrence at 13 months while all other patients are alive and free of disease at last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first technical video of a minimally invasive approach for complete pelvic peritonectomy plus omentectomy associated with HIPEC. For highly selected patients, this procedure presents a feasible and safe alternative to the maximally invasive approach.

Total pelvic peritonectomy for ovarian cancer with extensive peritoneal carcinomatosis in pelvic cavity.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer is characteristic of superficial implantation and peritoneal carcinomatosis. Hudson introduced a novel technique 50 years ago, which removed the entire Douglas pouch as a false capsule of the tumor (Hudson, 1968 [1]). Angeles et al. standardized the procedure in 10 steps in a previous publication (Angeles et al., 2019 [2]). We made small modifications of the Hudson procedure in this video. Ovarian cancer is characteristic of superficial implantation and peritoneal carcinomatosis. Hudson introduced a novel technique 50 years ago, which removed the entire Douglas pouch as a false capsule of the tumor (Hudson, 1968 [1]). Angeles et al. standardized the procedure in 10 steps in a previous publication (Angeles et al., 2019 [2]). We made small modifications of the Hudson procedure in this video. METHODS: The key points of the procedure were summarized as follows. Firstly, dissecting off the pelvic parietal peritoneum very superficially. Secondly, the round ligament, infundibulo-pelvic ligament, medial umbilical ligament, and umbilical artery are divided and ligated in the extraperitoneal space. Thirdly, the bladder is mobilized caudally and the vesico-vaginal space is exposed after completely dissecting off the vesical peritoneum. Fourthly, the ureter is isolated and mobilized laterally. Then, uterine vessels and parametria are divided and ligated, which is followed by colpotomy to access the recto-vaginal septum. By retracting the total specimen cranially, the Douglas pouch is dissected retrogradely according to Hudson procedure. Lastly, the peritoneum of the mesorectum and mesosigmoid is shaved at the pelvic brim. Therefore, using this method, almost all the pelvic visceral peritoneum was dissected (). In addition, we didn't intentionally expose the anatomical spaces (pre-vesical, para-vesical, para-rectal, and pre-sacral) completely, which was effective and time-saving. RESULTS: Complete removal of the disseminated tumors in both parietal and visceral peritoneum was achieved by the method introduced in our video. CONCLUSION: Our method, modified from Hudson procedure, is effective for complete cytoreduction in selected ovarian cancer patients with extensive peritoneal carcinomatosis sparing rectosigmoid resection.

Histiocytic sarcoma in a child-successful management and long-term survival with cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Histiocytic sarcoma is an extremely rare tumor in children. It may occur sporadically or in association with other hematological malignancies. It arises most commonly in the lymph nodes but may occur anywhere in the body and clinical presentation is usually with advanced disease. Following tissue diagnosis and staging, management is with chemotherapy though there are no standard regimes. Surgery has been used successfully for local control. This is the first description of the use of peritonectomy and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy to treat histiocytic sarcoma. The 4-year-old patient has been disease free for 6 years.