Cytoreduction of small intestine metastases using the Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator

The Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator was used to reduce the volume of the small intestine metastases in 37 patients. Thirty-four patients had epithelial carcinoma of the ovary, and one each had tubal adenocarcinoma, papillary peritoneal tumor, and mesothelioma. Thirty-one patients had stage IIIC disease, and six had stage IV. Initially, 18 patients had small bowel disease greater than 15 mm in diameter (of any single nodule), and 10 had disease 6-15 mm in diameter. After cytoreduction using standard means, 18 patients had disease greater than 15 mm in diameter, and 9 patients had disease 6-15 mm in greatest diameter. After using the Cavitron, 13 patients had no gross residual disease, and 24 patients had disease 1-5 mm in diameter. The Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator is invaluable to obtain minimal residual disease of small bowel metastases while avoiding intestinal resection.