HIPEC Procedure at Asklepios Hospital Barmbek

At the Asklepios Hospital Barmbek in Hamburg, we approach peritoneal carcinomatosis, cancer that has spread to the lining of the abdominal cavity, not as an endpoint, but as a surgical challenge that requires radical, multi-dimensional intervention. Our facility is officially certified as a center of excellence for HIPEC by the German Society for General and Visceral Surgery (DGAV). Led by Dr. med. Michael Lipp, one of Germany’s most seasoned specialists in peritoneal surface malignancies, our team executes the complex "Barmbek Protocol," a combined strategy designed to eliminate visible tumors and microscopic cancer cells in a single, comprehensive surgical event. The treatment is a high-stakes, two-stage operation that transforms the abdominal cavity into a localized therapeutic zone. In the first phase, known as cytoreductive surgery (CRS), our surgeons perform a meticulous "peritonectomy. " This involves the physical removal of the peritoneal lining and any affected abdominal organs, such as the gallbladder, spleen, or parts of the intestine, to ensure that no visible tumor mass remains. This phase is the foundation of the procedure's success; at Barmbek, we leverage high-definition surgical imaging to achieve "complete cytoreduction," which clinical data identifies as the single most important factor for long-term patient survival. Immediately following the surgical removal of the tumor, the second phase begins while the patient is still on the operating table: hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). We circulate a highly concentrated chemotherapy solution throughout the abdominal cavity, heated to exactly 42°C (107. 6°F). This thermal element is critical because heat significantly increases the permeability of cancer cells, allowing the chemotherapy to penetrate deeper into the tissues than it would at body temperature. By applying the drugs directly to the site of the disease rather than through the bloodstream, we deliver a dose up to 100 times stronger than standard IV chemotherapy, all while sparing the rest of the body from systemic toxicity. Our technical and clinical framework for the HIPEC program includes:Center of Excellence Certification. Rigorous quality benchmarks and high-volume experience validated by the DGAV. Specialized Perfusion Technology. Automated systems that maintain precise temperature and flow rates of the chemotherapeutic agent. Multi-Visceral Expertise. Surgeons capable of complex reconstructions across the digestive and gynecological systems. Integrated Oncology. Seamless coordination with our internal oncology department for pre-operative and post-operative "sandwich" chemotherapy. The complexity of a HIPEC procedure requires a highly synchronized interdisciplinary team. Because the surgery can last between six and twelve hours, depending on the extent of the disease, our specialized onco-anesthesiologists manage the patient’s core temperature and fluid balance with extreme precision. Following the operation, patients are transitioned to our state-of-the-art intensive care unit, where a dedicated team of "HIPEC-trained" nurses and physiotherapists begins the recovery process. Our goal is early mobilization, which is essential for restoring bowel function and preventing post-surgical complications.