Current status of the second-look operation in ovarian carcinoma

A second-look operation was performed ten times in 240 patients with advanced carcinoma of the ovary treated initially by surgery and postoperative chemotherapy with triethylenethiophosphoramide. Patients undergoing the second-look operation for carcinoma of the ovary were grouped according to removal or retention of ovaries at initial operation and presence of residual tumor before the second surgery. Those whose retained ovaries were removed after complete tumor disappearance have done well. The second-look operation was of limited use where there was palpable residual tumor. Second-look surgery should be performed for patients with retained ovaries and complete clinical regression of tumor after administration of chemotherapy and in selected patients in whom interval treatment permits surgical clearance of tumor. Reduction of tumor target may warrant a second-look operation before the use of newer antitumor drugs.