Predictors of major postoperative complications in cytoreductive surgery with or without hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy

Purpose: Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) ± Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) is associated with a high incidence of postoperative morbidity. Our aim was to identify independent, potentially actionable perioperative predictors of major complications.

Methods: We reviewed patients who underwent CRS ± HIPEC from June 2020 to January 2022 at a high-volume center. Postoperative complications were categorized using the Comprehensive Complication Index, with the upper quartile defining major complications. Multivariate logistic analysis identified predictive and protective factors.

Results: Of 168 patients, 119 (70.8%) underwent HIPEC. Mean Comprehensive Complication Index was 12.6 (12.7) and upper quartile cut-off was 22.6. Medical complications were more frequent but less severe than surgical (63% vs 18%). Forty-six patients (27.4%) comprised the "major complications" group (mean CCI 30.1 vs 6.3). Multivariate logistic regression showed that heart disease (RR 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1 to 3.3), number of anastomoses (RR 2.4; 95% CI:1.3 to 4.6) and first 24-h fluid balance (RR 1.1; 95% CI: 1.1 to 1.2), were independently associated as risk factors for major complications, while opioid-free anesthesia (RR 0.6; 95% CI: 0.3 to 0.9) and high preoperative hemoglobin (RR 0.9; CI 95%: 0.9 to 0.9) were independent-protective factors.

Conclusion: Preoperative heart diseases, number of anastomoses and first 24 h-fluid balance are independent risk factors for major postoperative complications, while high preoperative hemoglobin and opioid-free anesthesia are protective. Correction of anemia prior to surgery, avoiding positive fluid balance and incorporation of opioid-free anesthesia strategy are potential actionable measures to reduce postoperative morbidity.