PURPOSE

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has improved survival for selected patients with peritoneal metastases from colorectal cancer. Previous studies report conflicting rates of postoperative bleeding and venous thromboembolism (VTE) after CRS + HIPEC. The aim of the present study was to systematically review the literature and to estimate the overall 30-day incidence of postoperative bleeding and the overall 90-day incidence of VTE after CRS + HIPEC.

METHODS

Studies were identified in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science on 29 April 2021. Data were extracted for a qualitative synthesis and to estimate an overall mean incidence in the meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies with a total of 3268 patients were included in the systematic review. Postoperative bleeding incidence rates within 30 days ranged from 1.7 to 8.3% with an overall 30-day postoperative bleeding incidence with [95% CI] at 4.2 [2.6;6.2]%. VTE incidence rates within 90 days ranged from 0.2 to 13.6% with an overall 90-day VTE incidence with [95% CI] at 2.7 [1;5.2]% after CRS + HIPEC.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review and meta-analysis indicate a low risk for postoperative bleeding within 30 days and VTE within 90 days after CRS + HIPEC for peritoneal metastases from colorectal cancer.