Cytoreductive surgery including distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy in advanced stage ovarian cancer: Two centers analysis

Objective: Complex procedures such as distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy (DPS) may be required for R0 resection in patients with ovarian cancer (OC). These procedures can increase survival and cause serious morbidity. We aimed to present our experience in this field. Materials and methods: Thirteen patients who underwent DPS for OC between January 2004 and July 2018 in two centers (Hacettepe University Hospital, Etlik Hospital) were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. Results: The mean operative time was 310 min (220–570 min). None of the patients required transfusion. No perioperative mortality was observed. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 12 days (ranging from 8 to 33 days). The number of patients with early postoperative complications was four (30.7%). One of these patients was complicated by intestinal perforation, one with pancreatic fistula, one with pneumonia and the other with atelectasis. Other complications were observed conservatively. Ten patients underwent 6 cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy postoperatively. The median value of the postoperative chemotherapy period was 20 days (range 11–47 days). The median follow-up period was 46 months (2–144 months). Ten patients had recurrence. Eleven patients died of disease. Two patients are stil alive. Disease-free (DFS) and overall (OS) survival were 16 and 63 months, respectively. Conclusion: DPS for cytoreductive surgery is a procedure that increases morbidity, but most of the complications can be treated conservatively. Considering the increase in survival, it is considered to be a valuable procedure in upper abdominal disease.