The Delphi approach to attain consensus in methodology of local regional therapy for peritoneal surface malignancy

At the Fifth International Workshop on Peritoneal Surface Malignancy (PSM), held in Milan, December 2006, the consensus on technical aspects of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) was obtained through the Delphi process. The following topics were discussed: pre-operative workup; eligibility to CRS + HIPEC; intra-operative staging system; technical aspects of surgery; residual disease classification systems; HIPEC: nomenclature and modalities; drugs, carrier solution and optimal temperature; morbidity grading systems. Conflicting points regarding above-mentioned topics were elaborated and voted in two rounds by a panel of international experts in local-regional therapy. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the organization and the methodology Of the consensus statements and to interpret and discuss the implications of the most striking results.