BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Sarcopenia has recently been gaining importance due to its role on mortality and mobility in diseases and operations. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of sarcopenia on major postoperative complications in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for peritoneal surface malignancy.

METHODS

In this longitudinal cohort study included 202 patients treated between January 2018 and September 2023, with 52 undergoing prophylactic procedures. Peritoneal metastases originated from colorectal, gastric, and ovarian cancer; peritoneal mesothelioma; mucinous adenocarcinoma of the appendix; and endometrial cancer. Age, sex, body mass index (BMI), length of hospital stay (LOS), peritoneal cancer index (PCI), competency of cytoreduction (CC), operation time, and primary peritoneal carcinomatosis were recorded. All variables were analyzed according to the presence of major complications and sarcopenia.

RESULTS

Significant associations were found between major complications and sarcopenia (p = 0.002), PCI (p = 0.036), operation time (p = 0.015), and LOS (p < 0.001). In sarcopenic patients, significant associations were found with sex (p = 0.035), age (p = 0.025), and BMI (p = 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified sarcopenia as an independent risk factor for major complications, tripling the likelihood (p = 0.005). Additionally, PCI score (p = 0.008) and LOS (p < 0.001) were independent risk factors.

CONCLUSION

This study underscores sarcopenia as an independent risk factor for major complications in CRS/HIPEC patients, with PCI and LOS as additional risk factors. In sarcopenic patients, pre-operative evaluation should be done carefully and post-operative risks should be kept in mind.