Volume 4, Issue 3 -

Multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma (MCPM) is a particularly rare and benign neoplasm that arises from the peritoneum in reproductive aged females. Its etiopathogenesis is still unclear. The current prevailing theory supports the idea that the tumor is the result of an excessive inflammatory process. Because of a lack of clinical and imaging presentation, the diagnosis is intricate, and heavily relies on case reports and short studies. A histological analysis with immunohistochemistry is required for a definitive diagnosis. To date, there is no standard treatment recommended for MCPM. However, some studies suggest proceeding with a cytoreductive surgery and a hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy combining CISPLATIN and DOXORUBICIN, due to a high incidence of recurrence rate after medical treatment or surgery alone and potential malignant transformation.

Background Early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC) can be used in combination with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) to treat patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) of multiple origins. The present study is a systematic review to evaluate the role of EPIC after CRS + HIPEC for appendiceal and colorectal cancers with PC. Content We conducted a systematic search in PubMed according to the PRISMA guidelines and included all studies published before June 27 of 2019 comparing EPIC to HIPEC or the combination of both. Our search found 79 articles. After excluding non-relevant articles, a total of 13 retrospective clinical studies reporting on the efficacy and safety of EPIC compared to HIPEC or as a combination therapy for lower gastrointestinal neoplasms were analyzed. Initial EPIC reports led to its declined usage because of concerns with increased postoperative morbidity and uncertain added benefit on survival. Recent retrospective studies have been promising, showing significant improvements in OS and fewer issues with complications when adding EPIC to CRS + HIPEC. Conclusions Current evidence is entirely retrospective and is conflicting. It is hoped that ongoing clinical trials and additional studies will clarify EPIC’s role in the treatment of patients with PC.

Background Heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is currently performed using an external circuit including a heating device and a pump. Available devices have several drawbacks in terms of costs, technique (flow surges due to blocked tubes) and staff safety, hindering a wider use. In a previous preclinical study conducted in animals, we placed a heating wire within the abdomen to achieve and maintain hyperthermia. Our results showed this technique is safe and effective. The present pilot study was conceived as the first use of such a device in humans, aiming to confirm its safety and efficacy. Methods This was a pilot study designed to include 13 patients undergoing HIPEC. Two sets of the prototype were placed within the abdominal cavity, one in the supramesocolic and one in the inframesocolic space. The target temperature was 42–43 °C during 30–90 min according to the protocol defined for each patient. The time to set up, heat and dismantle was measured. All complications were recorded during the first postoperative year and evaluated by an independent committee. Results Nine women and four men were included. The median time to set on the device was 25 min. The target temperature was obtained in a median of 14 min and maintained uniform and homogeneously distributed within the abdomen for the scheduled duration. A permanent stirring of the viscera was performed. No thermal injury or device-related complications were observed. There were two anastomotic leaks (only one requiring reoperation), two hemoperitoneum requiring reoperation, one evisceration and one gastroparesia. Conclusions A heating cable within the peritoneal cavity can achieve safe, simple, fast and efficient HIPEC.

Background Optimization of intraperitoneal drug delivery systems requires functional models. We proposed the Inverted Bovine Urinary Bladder Model (IBUB), but IBUB does not allow repeated measurements over time and there is a significant biological variability between organs. Methods A further development of IBUB is presented, based on the physical principle of communicating vessels. Fresh bovine bladders were inverted so that the peritoneum lines up the inner surface. The IBUB and a second vessel were then interconnected under the same CO 2 pressure and placed on two scales. The therapeutic solution (Doxorubicin 2.7 mg and Cisplatin 13.5 mg) was delivered via an aerosolizer. All experiments were in triplicate and blinded to the origin of samples, measurements in a GLP-certified laboratory. Results The enhanced IBUB (eIBUB) model allows measurements of tissue drug concentration, depth of tissue penetration and spatial distribution. The homogeneous morphology of the peritoneum enables standardized, multiple tissue sampling. eIBUB minimizes biological variability between different bladders and eliminates the bias caused by the liquid collecting at the bottom of the model. Concentration of doxorubicin in the eIBUB (mean ± STDV: 18.5 ± 22.6 ng/mg) were comparable to clinical peritoneal biopsies (19.2 ± 38.6 ng/mg), as was depth of drug penetration (eIBUB: mean (min-max) 433 (381–486) µm, clinical ~ 500 µm). Conclusions The eIBUB model is a simple and powerful ex vivo model for optimizing intraperitoneal drug delivery and represents an attractive alternative to animal models. Results obtained are similar to those obtained in the human patient.

Background Perforation of low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (LAMN) is characterized by its potential to spread mucin into peritoneal cavity, giving rise to pseudomyxoma peritonei, commonly treated with cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Symptoms of intestinal obstruction and appendiceal infection are rare at early stages of the disease, while abdominal distension are observed in the later stages due to mucin spread. Methods We report herein a case of LAMN with atypical symptoms in a 35-year-old woman with abdominal symptoms evoking an intestinal obstruction. Results An abdominal CT scan revealed an ileo-caecal intussusception. An exploratory laparotomy and examination of the peritoneal cavity ruled out an exteriorization of mucin and the bowel was resected. Conclusions The pathology analysis confirmed the diagnostic of LAMN. This report aims to raise awareness among surgeons, of rare clinical presentations that LAMN may show, to adapt the surgical treatment to these patients and assign them to referral centers.