Laparoscopy in staging and restaging of 95 patients with ovarian carcinoma

The merits of laparoscopy with inspection of diaphragmatic leaves were studied in 95 patients with ovarian carcinoma. Laparoscopy was positive in 19 out of 27 new cases, 11 out of 47 patients previously treated and in apparent complete remission, and 12 out of 21 patients previously treated and with the disease. Thirty-one out of 95 patients were shown to have diaphragmatic metastases alone and/or associated with other localizations of disease. In 5 out of 27 new cases the stage was modified after laparoscopy. The histologic-endoscopic correlation was correct in 28/36 positive cases (78%) and in 31/32 negative cases (97%). In conclusionall patients with ovarian carcinoma should be subjected to laparoscopy as staging and restaging before undergoing laparotomy.