30+ years of experience
3,000+ CRS+HIPEC procedures
International multidisciplinary committee
Reviewed by Dr. Juan José Torrent · Updated: April 30, 2026

Oncological Open Surgery

High-complexity surgery

Open surgery is still used in oncology for large tumors or those requiring extensive resections, when a laparoscopic or robotic approach does not allow the operation to be done safely.

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What is oncological open surgery?

Open surgery is the traditional surgical approach in which a wide incision is made to directly access the area to be operated. Despite advances in minimally invasive techniques, it remains the technique of choice in many complex oncological cases.

It gives good exposure of the surgical field and makes it easier to perform extensive resections, complex reconstructions, and control of major vascular structures. It is especially indicated for large tumors or those affecting multiple organs.

Operating room at Memorial Publio Cordón Hospital equipped for open oncological surgery

When is open surgery indicated?

Open surgery is the preferred technique in certain situations:

Large tumors

Bulky tumors requiring en bloc extraction that cannot be safely managed laparoscopically or robotically.

Multivisceral resections

Surgeries involving en bloc removal of multiple organs to ensure adequate oncological margins.

Major vascular involvement

Tumors infiltrating large blood vessels requiring vascular resection and reconstruction.

Salvage surgery

Reoperations in previously operated surgical fields with significant fibrosis and anatomical distortion.

Types of approach in open surgery

We select the most appropriate incision based on tumor location and extent:

Midline laparotomy

Vertical incision from the sternum to the pubis providing access to the entire abdominal cavity.

Subcostal incision

Incision below the ribs, unilateral or bilateral, ideal for hepatic, gastric, and pancreatic surgery.

Thoracoabdominal incision

Combined thoracic and abdominal approach for tumors of the esophagogastric junction or with diaphragmatic extension.

Combined incisions

Combination of incisions adapted to the specific needs of each case to optimize exposure.

Advantages of open surgery

Open surgery offers specific benefits in complex oncological cases:

Complete direct vision

Allows direct palpation of tissues and complete visualization of the operative field without optical limitations.

Immediate vascular control

Rapid response capability to bleeding and direct control of major vascular structures.

Technical flexibility

Allows real-time modification of surgical strategy based on intraoperative findings.

Complex reconstructions

Facilitates anastomoses, vascular grafts, and reconstruction techniques requiring extensive tissue manipulation.

Our experience in open surgery

At Quenet-Torrent Institute open surgery is still used routinely in complex oncological cases. Our surgeons have training and experience in high-complexity oncological open surgery.

We choose the approach for each patient according to the oncological result that can be achieved. In some complex cases, open surgery is the approach that allows the operation to be done most safely.

Interior of Memorial Publio Cordón Hospital, where high-complexity open oncological surgery is performed

Pathologies treated with open surgery

Open surgery is frequently used in the treatment of various oncological pathologies.

Where do we perform open oncological surgery?

We operate in two private hospitals in Spain. The same medical team treats you in Madrid and in Barcelona, with the same surgical and oncological protocols.

Memorial Publio Cordón Hospital, Madrid
Madrid

Memorial Publio Cordón Hospital

Private hospital in Pozuelo de Alarcón with a multidisciplinary team specialised in digestive surgical oncology.

Paseo de la Casa de Campo, 5 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid
View Memorial Publio Cordón Hospital
Centro Médico Teknon, Barcelona
Barcelona

Centro Médico Teknon

Private hospital in Barcelona where the team performs high-complexity surgical oncology.

Carrer de Vilana, 12 08022 Barcelona
View Centro Médico Teknon

Patients treated by the Quenet Torrent team

Real testimonies from patients treated by our team in high-complexity surgical oncology.

Debra's case

66-year-old English woman with advanced ovarian cancer and peritoneal metastases. Treated with cytoreduction + HIPEC, she is now disease-free.

Read the full case

Rosario (Charo)'s case

73-year-old patient with advanced cancer treated with chemotherapy and high-complexity surgical oncology, with good survival and quality of life.

Read the full case

Felipe's case

A mistaken diagnosis of terminal colon cancer that a second opinion revealed to be pseudomyxoma peritonei, treatable with cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC.

Read the full case

Santiago's case

Diagnosed with widespread peritoneal carcinomatosis and considered inoperable. After complete cytoreduction with HIPEC, today his is a story of survival.

Read the full case

What our patients say

See on Google 4.5/5
L
Loreto Toscano
4 weeks ago
5/5

Wonderful surgical team, among the best out there. Dr. Torrent (expert in peritoneal carcinomatosis) is an exceptional surgeon and an even better person. His coordinator is super kind, fast and efficient. The personal care is excellent and so are the results. This is of vital importance for cancer patients.

K
Kanijo Sánchez
5 months ago
5/5

In the public healthcare system they gave my father a maximum of one year to live. They only offered him chemo and no hope, said it was impossible, that nothing could be done. He had several tumors inside the peritoneal sac with metastases. A year and a half later he is clean, completely cured. His latest PET scan came back clean. We are very happy. Thanks to Dr. Torrent and his team. THANK YOU.

M
Manuel S.D.
A year ago
5/5

Excellent professionals, especially Dr. Torrent, attentive at all times to the patient (my wife), operated for peritoneal pseudomyxoma. They helped us with all our needs since we came from outside Barcelona. Thank you Elisabeth. We are very grateful to Quenet Torrent Institute, thank you for everything.

P
Pilar Garcés
2 years ago
5/5

I am a 63-year-old patient. They detected adrenal gland cancer and told me there was nothing to be done. I sought a second opinion and they told me about the Quenet Torrent team, specialists in complex operations. Dr. Torrent, from the first moment, told me they could operate. They operated and removed a large tumor mass. I spent a week in the ICU and a month on the ward. Every day he came morning and evening, no matter Saturday or Sunday. Never throw in the towel. I am happy to have found these professionals who gave me my life back. Thank you.

I
Imma Rondán
3 years ago
5/5

Many thanks for your attention. Dr. Torrent always attentive, involved and decisive. The reception staff very pleasant and always offering the best option. 100% RECOMMENDED. THANK YOU.

M
Mª Cristina Domínguez
5 years ago
5/5

Dr. Torrent helped me make the best decision at a difficult moment. I think he is a great professional and a person capable of accompanying you and putting himself in another's shoes. Thank you for everything.

F
Francisco García
6 years ago
5/5

I have peritoneal carcinomatosis. When I sent my diagnosis to every center, practically all of them agreed on palliative chemo with little survival time, since I had a very aggressive type of cell. Until we reached Dr. Quenet, Dr. Torrent and their team. I can only confirm what their CV announces: they are far ahead of the rest. They saved my life, because during the operation the harmful cells that everyone had diagnosed, and that were the reason nobody would operate on me, were not there. This intervention has become the best investment of my life.

M
Mara Reboredo
6 years ago
5/5

The best decision of my life was finding this excellent team of surgeons who saved my husband's life. At a prestigious international clinic in Madrid he was given up for lost with advanced peritoneal carcinomatosis from appendiceal cancer, and thanks to them, the best professionals in this field, he was operated on very successfully. A perfect recovery with no complications, because they were on top of his progress at all times. They have a great quality: from the start they were very honest and close. I can only be deeply grateful; we went to buy time and thanks to them my husband got his life back.

E
Elisenda Br.
7 years ago
5/5

Dr. Torrent is a brilliant surgeon and a very approachable and warm doctor, whose manner reveals all the qualities that make him a great person and professional: perseverance, innate curiosity and a desire to learn, humility, sincerity and empathy. Going through an operation is undoubtedly an intense experience, physically and emotionally, in which anxieties arise and you feel very vulnerable. All of that is normal, and as his former patient I can say that his care and professionalism throughout the process were absolutely exceptional. I felt very supported by him, with the confidence of knowing I was in the best hands. I will always be grateful to him. Moltes gràcies Dr. Torrent!

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