Extended intraoperative peritoneal lavage as prophylactic peritoneal recurrence for locally advanced gastric cancer: a prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND To demonstrate whether extensive intraoperative peritoneal lavage (EIPL) could yield better results in overall survival and less recurrence, regardless of peritoneal cytology, compared to standard peritoneal lavage (SPL). METHODS A prospective randomised multicenter study including 94 patients (47 per arm) to detect a 20% difference in 3-year overall survival in patients with locally advanced tumours without peritoneal carcinomatosis. Three samples of peritoneal fluid were obtained (at the beginning, the end of procedure and after the assigned peritoneal lavage). Clinicopathological and surgical data were analysed by group. Postoperative complications, location of recurrence and surgical approach were evaluated. Overall survival was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and the uni/multivariate analysis for prognostic factors was carried out using Cox regression analysis. RESULTS A total of 86 patients were analysed (4 excluded per group). No statistical differences were observed in clinicopathological or surgical data between groups, considering both groups well-balanced for analysis. Overall survival at 3 years was 64.3% for SPL vs. 62.3% for EIPL (p 0.421). Only three patients had at least one positive peritoneal cytology (1:2). There were no differences regarding postoperative complications (SPL: 37.2% vs. EIPL: 32.5%, p 0.65) or between location of recurrence and number of recurrences. The number of recurrences did not differ between surgical approaches, but locoregional and peritoneal recurrences were fewer with the laparoscopic approach (p 0.048). CONCLUSIONS The regular use of extensive peritoneal lavage in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer, regardless of peritoneal cytology, has not been effective as prophylaxis of peritoneal recurrence or better survival.