Perioperative outcomes of extensive bowel resection during cytoreductive surgery in patients with advanced ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

To achieve optimal cytoreduction, extensive bowel resections are sometimes required in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Few studies have focused on the extent or number of resections of bowel surgeries and their feasibility.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with advanced ovarian cancer who underwent bowel surgery as part of debulking procedures at Ajou University Hospital from 2006 to 2018. Patients who received extensive bowel resections (two-segment resections or subtotal colectomy) were identified, and their perioperative outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 172 patients underwent bowel surgery. Of them, 128 (74.4%) underwent one-segment bowel resection, 25 (14.5%) underwent two-segment bowel resections, and 19 (11.1%) underwent subtotal colectomy. Although the operative time, transfusion rate, and postoperative bleeding events were higher in patients who underwent extensive bowel resection, the rates of perioperative complications were not significantly higher in this group. Anastomotic leakage occurred in two (1.5%) patients in the one-segment resection group, one (4.2%) patient in the multiple resection group, and two (10.5%) patients in the subtotal colectomy group.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple bowel resections (up to two segments) are feasible and can be safely performed with an acceptable complication rate in patients with advanced ovarian cancer.