Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 1, 2025
Intraoperative Assessment of Resection Margins in Oral Cavity Cancer: This is the Way
Published on: May 10, 2021
The attitude and practice of general surgeons toward cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal
Thamer A Bin Traiki1, Sulaiman A AlShammari1, Wadha S AlOtaibi1
1Colorectal Research Chair, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11461, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
General surgeons in Riyadh show varied knowledge and practice regarding cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Improved referral systems and access to HIPEC specialists are needed for better patient care.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Oncology
- Gastrointestinal Oncology
- Cancer Treatment Modalities
Background:
- Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) are advanced cancer treatments requiring specialized centers.
- Many medical institutions lack established centers for CRS and HIPEC.
- This study evaluates the awareness and application of CRS and HIPEC among general surgeons in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of general surgeons concerning CRS and HIPEC.
- To compare the understanding and implementation of CRS and HIPEC between surgeons in dedicated HIPEC centers and those in general hospitals.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted among 266 general surgeons treating gastrointestinal cancer patients across nine hospitals in Riyadh.
- Surgeons were categorized into two groups: those in HIPEC and academic centers (Group A) and those in tertiary and secondary hospitals (Group B).
- The survey response rate was 48.1% (128 surgeons).
Main Results:
- Surgeons in Group B treated more patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis annually compared to Group A (P=.001).
- A higher percentage of Group B surgeons reported proximity to a HIPEC specialist and center (71.4%) than Group A (4.5%) (P=.001).
- Knowledge regarding HIPEC for appendiceal and ovarian cancers was higher in Group A than Group B.
Conclusions:
- There is a need for enhanced strategies to improve general surgeons' knowledge and referral practices for HIPEC.
- The study highlights disparities in access to HIPEC specialists and centers among surgeons in Riyadh.
- A low response rate limited the study's findings.
Background:
Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) mandate well-established HIPEC and oncology centers, which are not available in many medical institutions. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practice toward CRS and HIPEC of general surgeons in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Patients And Methods:
General surgeons (n = 266) from nine hospitals who treat patients with gastrointestinal cancer were surveyed. The responses of surgeons who work in HIPEC and academic centers (Group A) and surgeons working in tertiary and secondary hospitals (Group B) were compared. The survey response rate was 48.1% (128/266).
Results:
Surgeons in group B treated significantly more patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis per year than surgeons in group A (P = .001). Group B reported having a HIPEC specialist at their hospital, and 71.4% reported that the nearest HIPEC center was within 30 miles, compared to 4.5% of respondents in group A (P = .001). Lack of access to a HIPEC specialist was reported by 15.5% of surgeons in group B and 0% of surgeons in group A (P = .006). HIPEC as a possible therapeutic option for appendiceal cancer was cited by 60.7% of surgeons in group B compared to 84.1% of surgeons in group A (P = .007) and as a therapeutic option for ovarian cancer by 52.4% of surgeons in group B and 81.8% of surgeons in group A (P = .001).
Conclusion:
New strategies are needed to improve the knowledge and implementation of the referral system for HIPEC among general surgeons. Our study was limited by a low response rate.
