The indications for cytoreductive surgery (CRS) plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) continue to expand in gastrointestinal, ovarian, and peritoneal surface malignancies. Although the role of this often extensive and complex operation remains under investigation for colorectal and gastric cancer, CRS-HIPEC offers the only possibility of curative intent and significant palliation for many patients with appendiceal cancer (AC) and pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP). To achieve complete cytoreduction, the procedure lasts an average of 7 h, ranging from 2 to 22 h. The hospital length of stay postoperatively is at least a week, although it can be longer due to intestinal dysfunction, respiratory complications, thromboembolic disease, or infections. Although findings have shown CRS-HIPEC to be safe, with mortality and morbidity rates similar to those of other major abdominal operations for cancer,
1 the recovery can be prolonged for many patients, even after returning home. Gastrointestinal irregularities, pain, fatigue, debility, and psychological effects have been queried in previous quality-of-life (QoL) studies, with most research demonstrating improvement by 3 months and a return to preoperative baseline levels within 6 to 12 months after surgery.
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