Management for perioperative complications of diaphragmatic surgery in ovarian cancer at a Chinese tertiary cancer center.

Objective: Diaphragm is the common site of metastasis in advanced ovarian cancer. Diaphragmatic surgery is necessary to achieve complete resection. Relative complications also pose challenges to perioperative management. This study aims to explore the influencing factors and management strategies for perioperative complications of diaphragm surgery.

Methods: This study retrospectively included 396 patients who underwent diaphragmatic surgery for advanced ovarian cancer at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center from July 2015 to June 2022. Diaphragm surgical methods were classified, and perioperative complications were regarded according to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center criteria. Clinical characteristics and perioperative complications were analyzed to find correlations to establish the nomogram.

Results: Among the 396 patients, 163 patients (41.2%) suffered from perioperative complications. Pleural effusion (33.1%) and pneumothorax (5.3%) were the most commonly reported. Patients with longer surgery duration (>3 hours) (p=0.003) and who underwent diaphragmatic incision surgery (p=0.004) had a higher incidence of postoperative complications. The incidence of postoperative pleural effusion was significantly higher in patients who underwent diaphragm full-thickness resection (49.3%) than diaphragmatic stripping (29.5%) (p=0.001), and patients who underwent diaphragm full-thickness resection are more likely to require drainage (p=0.001). Multi-variate analyses showed that stage IV tumor, long operation time, and diaphragm full-thickness resection are associated with postoperative pleural effusion.

Conclusion: Pleural effusion is the most common complication of diaphragmatic surgery in patients with ovarian cancer. Routine placement of prophylactic chest tubes is not appropriate for all patients undergoing diaphragmatic surgery. Our nomogram could help to predict its risk and indicate prophylactic management.