The recent course held at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin brought together surgeons, anesthesiologists, and perioperative specialists for an in-depth exploration of how to optimize outcomes for patients undergoing Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) combined with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) for peritoneal surface malignancies. As one of the most complex and high-risk procedures in surgical oncology, CRS + HIPEC requires structured pathways, strong teamwork, and meticulous coordination across disciplines.
A Holistic, Multidisciplinary Approach
The course provided a comprehensive look at the entire perioperative workflow, from patient selection and prehabilitation to intraoperative techniques and postoperative recovery. This full-cycle perspective highlighted the importance of aligning clinical decision-making, logistics, and communication to support patient safety and recovery.
Standardization as a Foundation for Safer Care
A central message throughout the sessions was the value of structured protocols and standardized operating procedures (SOPs). Participants were encouraged to establish clear, multidisciplinary care pathways in their own hospitals to reduce variation, improve predictability, and support better outcomes.
In a surgical setting as demanding as CRS + HIPEC, consistency is not just helpful, it is essential.
Integrating Modern Perioperative Strategies
Although CRS + HIPEC represents a unique and complex field, many principles that improve recovery in other specialties also apply here. The course highlighted how ERAS®-aligned approaches, including prehabilitation, multimodal optimization, early mobilization, and data-driven evaluation, can be adapted to this patient population.
This reflects a broader shift in oncology: combining technical excellence with physiological and organizational readiness.
From Global Perspectives to Practical Implementation
With participants joining from multiple countries, discussions were enriched by diverse experiences and perspectives. Many conversations centered around how ERAS® guidelines can support teams in building structured pathways for CRS + HIPEC, enabling safer workflows and more predictable recoveries.
Moving Toward Better Outcomes in Complex Oncology
By bridging surgical, anesthetic, physiological, and organizational insights, the course offered a realistic and actionable roadmap for improving perioperative care in CRS + HIPEC. The message was clear: when teams standardize care, collaborate across disciplines, and integrate modern recovery principles, even the most complex oncology pathways can become safer, more efficient, and more patient-centered.
