HospiUpdate

PCH Conducts Complex Surgery for Pseudomyxoma Peritoneii

A rare and complex surgery for a large cancer of abdomen was successfully performed at Pushpanjali Crosslay Hospital (PCH) in Ghaziabad.

The patient, an elderly woman, was diagnosed to have Pseudomyxoma based on the CT scan and results of fine needle aspiration cytology. After discussion with patients' family, the surgery was planned and carried out. Dr Arun Kumar Goel, Director Oncology Services and Head of Surgical Oncology at Galaxy Cancer Institute, PCH conducted the surgery along with a team of surgeons (Dr Sandeep Jain and Dr Anuj Kundaliya). The surgical procedure lasted for approximately nine hours and was carried out under a combination of general and epidural anesthesia by a team consisting of Dr Lakhani and Dr Arora.

Pseudomyxoma peritoneii is rare and difficult to treat cancer of the abdominal cavity. In this disease, a mucin producing cancer that arises from one of many organs (appendix, ovary, colon etc) spreads to the abdominal cavity and affects large parts of the lining of the abdominal cavity that is known as peritoneum. This leads to presence of cancer throughout the abdominal cavity and collection of large amount of mucinous material, Dr Goel explained.

The cancer in this case was originating from the appendix. However, there was extensive spread of tumour to the completely abdominal cavity. The procedures carried out were: right hemicolectomy with ileocolic anastomosis; total abdominal hysterectomy with removal of both ovaries; cholecystectomy, omentectomy with splenectomy, extensive peritonectomy, removal of lining peritoneum affected by cancer from all the compartments of the abdominal cavity .

Multiple units of blood and plasma were transfused and albumin (protein) and intravenous nutrition were used for the initial few days. Patient was kept on a ventilator for more than 48 hours to allow the body to recover from the surgery.

EH News Bureau