Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) in Patients With Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Undergoing Cytoreductive Surgery With or Without Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC)

Prospective Multicenter Interventional Pre-Post Study of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocol in the Perioperative Management of Patients With Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Undergoing Cytoreductive Surgery With or Without HIPEC (EPICH)

This prospective multicenter interventional pre-post study aims to evaluate the effect of implementing an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis undergoing cytoreductive surgery with or without hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Approximately 300 patients will be enrolled across 20 Italian centers. During an initial pre-intervention period, usual perioperative management will be described; during a subsequent intervention period, participating centers will apply a predefined ERAS protocol. The primary objective is to assess the effect of ERAS implementation on mean postoperative hospital length of stay.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is a multimodal perioperative care pathway designed to reduce surgical stress and accelerate postoperative recovery through coordinated evidence-based interventions involving surgery, anesthesia, nutrition, and rehabilitation. In patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis undergoing cytoreductive surgery with or without hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), postoperative morbidity and prolonged hospitalization remain clinically relevant issues. This study will evaluate the implementation of a selected ERAS protocol in this setting. The study is designed as a multicenter interventional pre-post study: during the first period (approximately 4 months; 100 patients), usual perioperative procedures will be documented; during the second period (approximately 8 months; 200 patients), centers will apply a predefined ERAS pathway. Monitored ERAS elements include prehabilitation and preoperative counseling, nutritional assessment and support, bowel preparation and antibiotic prophylaxis, perioperative fasting management, postoperative oral intake, fluid management, and intra-/postoperative analgesic management.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Written informed consent signed before the procedure
• Histological or cytological diagnosis of advanced solid tumor with documented peritoneal carcinomatosis originating from one of the following: peritoneal mesothelioma or other primary malignant peritoneal tumor, gynecologic tumor, gastric tumor, or intestinal tumor
• Age >18 years
• ECOG performance status ≤1
• ASA score ≤3

Exclusion Criteria:

• Missing written informed consent
• ASA score ≥4
• Palliative surgery or other unplanned surgery
• Severe renal insufficiency, severe hepatic insufficiency, severe heart failure, recent myocardial infarction, or severe arrhythmia
• Immunocompromised patients, patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy, or patients with immune system diseases