The 'Pelvic exenteration lexicon': Creating a common language for complex pelvic cancer surgery

Area of Science:

• Surgical Oncology
• Medical Terminology
• Clinical Data Standardization

Background:

• Pelvic exenteration surgery encompasses diverse techniques for advanced pelvic cancers.
• Current operative descriptions lack standardization, hindering outcome interpretation and collaboration.
• Standardized data collection is crucial for advancing pelvic exenteration research and practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a consensus lexicon for describing operative components of pelvic exenteration surgery.
• To establish a standardized terminology for extended and exenterative pelvic procedures.
• To facilitate consistent data collection and analysis in pelvic exenteration.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach was employed, including interviews, focus groups, and questionnaires.
• Pelvic exenteration experts from UK centers participated in the study.
• Qualitative data were collected and analyzed, with descriptive statistics presented.

Main Results:

• A lexicon comprising eight headings and 32 subheadings was developed.
• The lexicon was validated by 15 UK specialists in pelvic exenteration.
• A definition for 'high-complexity pelvic exenteration' was established, including removal of bony structures or pelvic sidewall.

Conclusions:

• The developed pelvic exenteration lexicon enables classification of surgical approaches.
• This standardization will improve data synthesis, audit accuracy, and ultimately patient outcomes.
• Implementing this lexicon is expected to enhance collaborative efforts and research in pelvic exenteration surgery.