Mortality and Morbidity after Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Peritoneal Carcinomatosis

Background: Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is associated with improved survival in selected patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. This treatment, however, has been associated with a relatively high rate of perioperative mortality and morbidity. Method: A review of clinical studies before March 2013 was performed to examine the impact of CRS-HIPEC on early mortality and morbidity. Factors associated with a poor perioperative outcome were identified. The importance of the learning curve was examined. Clinical outcomes were synthesized through a narrative review. Results: In-hospital mortality in high-level centres (>100 patients) ranged from 0.9 to 5.8%. The morbidity rate ranged from 36 to 84%; the overall rate of major or grade III/IV morbidity ranged from 0 to 52%. Factors that were consistently associated with a poor perioperative outcome included extensive peritoneal disease and markers of increased operative effort such as operation length, blood loss, and number of peritonectomy procedures performed. Several studies showed that morbidity decreases as operating volume increases. Moving forward, there is a need to evaluate strategies to reduce perioperative mortality whilst not compromising oncological outcomes. Conclusion: CRS-HIPEC is associated with an acceptable rate of perioperative mortality and morbidity. Morbidity decreases with increased experience and is strongly associated with the extent of disease.