Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in New Zealand: peri-operative outcomes and service development over a decade.

BACKGROUND: Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is the standard of care for selected cases of peritoneal surface malignancy. However, due to its morbidity and learning curve, it is only delivered in six centres in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand (AoNZ). In this study, we report peri-operative morbidity and mortality following CRS/HIPEC at Waikato and Braemar Hospitals, which have treated patients from all regions of AoNZ since 2008. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a database of all patients undergoing CRS and HIPEC from 01/01/2008 to 01/11/2020 at Waikato and Braemar Hospitals. RESULTS: Two-hundred and forty procedures were performed for 221 patients with a mean age of 55, including 22 (9.2%) re-do procedures. One hundred and eighty-six cases were European, 32 were Maori, and 16 were Pasifika. There were 152 pseudomyxoma peritonei, 39 colorectal adenocarcinomas, 29 appendiceal cancers, 8 ovarian cancers, 6 peritoneal mesothelioma, and 6 other tumour types. The median PCI was 16. HIPEC was administered to 196 out of 196 CC0/1 cases (100%) and 3 out of 44 CC2/3 cases (6.8%). Fifty-six cases (23.3%) had at least one major complication. There were two mortalities (0.8%) within 30 days. The median length of stay was 11 days. Operative duration was identified as an independent risk factor for major complications. There was considerable variation in the number of referrals from different regions of AoNZ. Over time, a decline in major complication rate is seen with increased case volume. CONCLUSION: The Waikato region has achieved favourable short-term outcomes following CRS/HIPEC.

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery: a New Zealand experience.

BACKGROUND: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEMS) is a proven alternative therapy to either radical surgery or endoscopic mucosal resection for rectal neoplasms. It has proven benefits with lower morbidity and mortality compared with total mesorectal excision, and a lower local recurrence rate when compared to endoscopic mucosal techniques. METHODS: A retrospective data collection of TEMS procedures performed through Waikato District Health Board, New Zealand, from 2010 to 2015 was conducted. Supportive follow-up data were sourced from patient records and from local centres around New Zealand. RESULTS: A total of 137 procedures were performed over the study period, with five being repeat procedures. Procedures were mostly performed for benign lesions (66.4%) with an overall complication rate of 15.3%, only five of which were Clavien-Dindo grade III (3.6%). Our local recurrence rate after resection of benign lesions was 5.1%. CONCLUSION: Our data set demonstrates the TEMS procedure to be safe compared to radical resection (total mesorectal excision) for sessile rectal lesions. Close endoscopic follow-up is recommended, especially for close or incomplete margins. Good therapeutic results can be obtained for appropriately selected early malignant lesions. TEMS provides better oncological results than endoscopic mucosal resection or transanal excision.