Significant Predictors of Postoperative Morbidity After Radical Resection of Retroperitoneal Sarcoma in a Tertiary Center

Background The safety of multivisceral resection of retroperitoneal sarcoma is an issue. Previous reports have investigated its associations with the pattern of resection and factors recognized mostly per operatively. Methods All consecutive RPS resections from May 2015 to April 2022 were studied retrospectively with respect to adverse events. Two univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the associations between severe adverse events and factors recognized pre- and per operatively. Associations of adverse events with overall survival (OS) and local recurrence (LR) were investigated. Results A total of 265 surgical interventions corresponding to 251 patients were recorded (38 RPS surgeries/year). Severe postoperative adverse events (Clavien–Dindo ≥ 3) occurred in 50 patients (18.9%), 15 (5.6%) patients underwent an iterative laparotomy, and 6 patients (2.3%) died within 90 days. On multivariate analysis including all parameters known preoperatively, male sex, performance status, dedifferentiated liposarcoma histology, and low serum albumin level were found to be significant predictors of major complications, whereas the timing of surgery and preoperative treatment were not. On univariate analysis including all per operative parameters, transfusion requirement, operative time, number of digestive anastomoses, and pancreas and/or major arterial resection were found to entail higher operative risk. On multivariate analysis, only transfusion requirement was significant. There was no impact of postoperative adverse events on OS or LR. Conclusions The recognition of preoperative parameters that impact safety could mitigate the extent of the surgery, specifically the resection of adherent organs not overtly invaded. For the best decision, this surgery should be performed in referral centers.