Interviewing surgical teams to optimise new chemotherapy delivery method

Bowel, ovarian and stomach cancer often spreads (metastasises) to the lining (peritoneum) of the abdominal cavity. Pressurised intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) is a new way of delivering chemotherapy to patients with peritoneal metastases. It lets a surgeon to spray chemotherapy directly onto the cancer during keyhole surgery. Keyhole or minimally invasive surgery means a surgeon can carry out an operation without having to make a large incision.

Project aims

We want to explore the experiences and views of surgical teams currently delivering PIPAC in the UK and abroad. We will undertake in-depth interviews with surgical teams to:

• Investigate how they currently reduce risks associated with PIPAC delivery
• Understand what training, guidance and support is available for them
• Identify gaps in current guidance and training

What we hope to achieve

We hope our findings will contribute to optimising surgical practice during the introduction of PIPAC in the UK.

Our study is part of a the PICCOS trial sponsored by Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).