European Journal of Gynaecological Oncology (EJGO) is published by IMR Press from Volume 40 Issue 1 (2019). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with S.O.G.
Different patterns of postoperative bleeding following cytoreductive surgery for gynecological cancer
Purpose of investigation: To study the possible causes of postoperative bleeding following maximal cytoreductive surgery for gynecological cancers. Method: We have retrospectively reviewed all our cases of postoperative bleeding following major abdominal and pelvic cytoreductive surgery within a 48-hour period. In the postoperative period, replacement therapy was ineffective in achieving hemodynamic stability. During re-operation, the entire abdominal cavity was evaluated for bleeding sites that were adequately ligated or electrocoagulated. Results: Of 942 women undergoing major cytoreductive surgery 22 women (2.3%) were re-operated for postoperative bleeding after a mean of 14.2 hours. Bleeding was either localized from a vessel in 9 women (40.9%) or diffuse (capillary oozing) in 13 women (59.1). Operative deaths have been as high as 36.8%. Conclusion: Postoperative bleeding following cytoreductive surgery can be from a single group of vessels or a capillary oozing from the edges or denuded areas of excised peritoneum.