The risk of getting worse: surgically acquired deficits, perioperative complications, and functional outcomes after primary resection of glioblastoma.

objectiveGross total resection (GTR) prolongs survival but is unfortunately not achievable in the majority of patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Cytoreductive debulkings may relieve symptoms of mass effect, but it is unknown how long such effects sustain and to what degree the potential benefits exceed risks. We explore the impact of surgical morbidity on functional outcome and survival in unselected GBM patients.

methodsWe retrospectively included 144 consecutive adult patients operated on for primary GBM at a single institution between 2004 and 2009. Reporting of adverse events was done in compliance with Good Clinical Practice Guidelines.

resultsA total of 141 (98%) operations were resections and 3 (2%) were biopsies. A decrease in Karnofsky performance status (KPS) scores was observed in 39% of patients after 6 weeks. There was a significant decrease between pre- and postoperative KPS scores (P < 0.001). Twenty-two (15.3%) patients had surgically acquired neurological deficits. Among patients who underwent surgical resection, those with surgically acquired neurological deficits were less likely to receive radiotherapy (P < 0.001), normofractioned radiotherapy (P = 0.010), and chemotherapy (P = 0.003). Twenty-eight (19.4%) patients had perioperative complications. Among patients who underwent surgical resection, those with perioperative complications were less likely to receive normofractioned radiotherapy (P = 0.010) and chemotherapy (P = 0.009). Age (P = 0.019), surgically acquired neurological deficits (P < 0.001), and surgical complications (P = 0.006) were significant predictors for worsened functional outcome after 6 weeks. GTR (P = 0.035), perioperative complications (P = 0.008), radiotherapy (P < 0.001), and chemotherapy (P = 0.045) were independent factors associated with 12-month postoperative survival.

conclusionPatients with perioperative complications and surgically acquired deficits were less likely to receive adjuvant therapy. While cytoreductive debulking may not improve survival in GBM, it may decrease the likelihood of patients receiving adjuvant therapy that does.