Laparoscopic Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Peroperative Chemotherapy (HIPEC) in the Management of Refractory Malignant Ascites: A Multi-Institutional Retrospective Analysis in 52 Patients

Malignant ascites is a debilitating condition affecting cancer patients in their terminal stage of disease. Recently, laparoscopic hyperthermic intraperitoneal peroperative chemotherapy (HIPEC) was introduced as a new approach. From September 2001 to August 2008, 52 patients were treated with this new modality. No treatment-related mortality was observed. Median survival was 98 days. One patient developed a clinical recurrence. Laparoscopic HIPEC is a safe and effective method for palliating malignant ascites J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;100:331-334. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.