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Feasibility of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in ovarian cancer during COVID-19 pandemic
  1. Ali Ayhan1,
  2. Safak Yilmaz Baran2,
  3. Dogan Vatansever3,
  4. Gulsen Dogan Durdag2,
  5. Huseyin Akilli1,
  6. Husnu Celik2 and
  7. Cagatay Taskiran3
  1. 1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
  2. 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baskent University Adana Dr Turgut Noyan Application and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey
  3. 3Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey
  1. Correspondence to Dr Safak Yilmaz Baran, Baskent Universitesi Adana Uygulama ve Arastirma Merkezi, Adana 01120, Turkey; safakyilmazbaran{at}gmail.com

Abstract

Objective This study aims to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions on patients who underwent cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for ovarian cancer.

Methods We retrospectively evaluated ovarian cancer patients who underwent HIPEC following complete cytoreductive surgery performed during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in three different centers specializing in gynecological oncology. All patients who underwent cytoreduction plus HIPEC for a primary, interval, and recurrent surgery were evaluated. Primary outcomes was postoperative 30-day morbidity and mortality. The secondary outcome was infection of patient and/or related staff with COVID-19 during the perioperative or early postoperative period.

Results We performed a total of 35 HIPEC procedures during the pandemic: 15 (42.9%) patients underwent primary/interval surgery, while 20 (57.1%) patients had recurrent disease. Grade 3–4 complications occurred in one patient (2.9%) (chronic renal failure), while mortality did not occur in any patient. Neither the patients nor related staff were infected with the coronavirus during the perioperative or early postoperative period. One patient, who was diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia on postoperative day 80 died from the infection. Another patient died on postoperative day 85 due to progressive ovarian cancer, a disorder in vital functions, and organ failure.

Conclusion HIPEC during the COVID-19 pandemic seems a safe and feasible procedure, with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates. Careful selection of patients is important and precautions should be taken before the procedure.

  • COVID-19
  • gynecologic surgical procedures
  • ovarian neoplasms

Data availability statement

Data are available upon reasonable request. The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, SYB, upon reasonable request.

This article is made freely available for use in accordance with BMJ’s website terms and conditions for the duration of the covid-19 pandemic or until otherwise determined by BMJ. You may use, download and print the article for any lawful, non-commercial purpose (including text and data mining) provided that all copyright notices and trade marks are retained.

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Data availability statement

Data are available upon reasonable request. The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, SYB, upon reasonable request.

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Footnotes

  • Contributors All authors contributed to the planning, development, and approval of the final manuscript. All authors agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

  • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

  • Competing interests None declared.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.