[Experiences up to now with the ultrasound dissection instrument in gynecologic oncology]

The energy of high frequency ultrasound is used to disrupt cellular structures. Since the water content of each individual cell is of utmost importance for the physical destruction of the cell, there may be a tissue-selective effect in respect of tissues such as epithelium (high water content) and mesenchyma (low water content). The various therapeutic modalities are described in the following four cases. Ultrasonic tumor destruction was highly effective with regard to maximum reduction of tumor masses, especially for tumor sites which could not be removed by conventional tumor surgery. Blood vessels and nerves surrounded by tumor could be carefully and completely dissected--even in advanced stages. Peritoneal metastases from an ovarian carcinoma could be removed entirely, as well as the metastases within a tumor bulk (e.g. ureter within tumor mass); also the layers of tissue which were lost could be visualized again. So far, no increase in complications during and after surgery has been observed.