Published online May 4, 2017. doi: 10.5492/wjccm.v6.i2.116
Peer-review started: November 13, 2016
First decision: December 1, 2016
Revised: December 18, 2016
Accepted: January 11, 2017
Article in press: January 13, 2017
Published online: May 4, 2017
Processing time: 172 Days and 14.4 Hours
To study the early postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) management and complications in the first 2 wk of patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).
Our study is a retrospective, observational study performed at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, quaternary care hospital in New York City. All adult patients who underwent CRS and HIPEC between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2012 and admitted to ICU postoperatively were studied. Fifty-one patients came to the ICU postoperatively out of 170 who underwent CRS and HIPEC therapy during the study period. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics.
Of the 170 patients who underwent CRS and HIPEC therapy, 51 (30%) came to the ICU postoperatively. Mean ICU length of stay was 4 d (range 1-60 d) and mean APACHE II score was 15 (range 7-23). Thirty-one/fifty-one (62%) patients developed postoperative complications. Aggressive intraoperative and postoperative fluid resuscitation is required in most patients. Hypovolemia was seen in all patients and median amount of fluids required in the first 48 h was 6 L (range 1-14 L). Thirteen patients (25%) developed postoperative hypotension with seven requiring vasopressor support. The major cause of sepsis was intraabdominal, with 8 (15%) developing anastomotic leaks and 5 (10%) developing intraabdominal abscess. The median survival was 14 mo with 30 d mortality of 4% (2/51) and 90 d mortality of 16% (8/51). One year survival was 56.4% (28/51). Preoperative medical co morbidities, extent of surgical debulking, intraoperative blood losses, amount of intra op blood products required and total operative time are the factors to be considered while deciding ICU vs non ICU admission.
Overall, ICU outcomes of this study population are excellent. Triage of these patients should consider preoperative and intraoperative factors. Intensivists should be vigilant to aggressive postop fluid resuscitation, pain control and early detection and management of surgical complications.
Core tip: Our retrospective study highlights the intensive care unit (ICU) management, complications and outcomes of patients undergoing complicated hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy procedure for peritoneal carcinomatosis. Intensivists need to monitor for physiologic derangements post procedure and assess fluid status, provide adequate pain control and have high degree of suspicion for complications like abdominal sepsis. Not all patients need ICU admission post procedure. Our study enlists the factors to be considered for ICU admission vs the floor.