Intraperitoneal access via direct puncture is an alternative way to deliver intraperitoneal chemotherapy in ovarian, fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy has not been widely accepted in the treatment of ovarian cancer. One of the main reasons is the lack of a convenient and safe way to deliver IP therapy. The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of delivering IP chemotherapy via direct puncture using a peripheral venous needle, as well as evaluating the associated risk factors and complications in the primary treatment of ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer.

METHODS: The clinical records of all patients with stage II-IV epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from 01/1995 to 11/2006 were reviewed retrospectively to identify patients who had received IP therapy via direct puncture after primary cytoreduction.

RESULTS: We identified 194 patients, and 121 (62.4%) of them successfully completed six or more cycles of IP chemotherapy, whereas 73 (37.6%) failed. Two (1%) patients ceased IP therapy directly due to IP access related complications and 35 (18.1%) discontinued IP therapy for reasons unrelated to IP access. Old age might be a potential risk factor for IP therapy failure. The IP therapy failure rate in patients over 60 years old was higher than that in patients under or at 60 (57.1% versus 34.3%, P=0.021). Body mass index were not associated with IP therapy failure.

CONCLUSIONS: IP access via direct puncture using a peripheral venous needle could be an alternative and safe way to deliver IP chemotherapy in the primary treatment of ovarian cancer.