Laparoscopic intraperitoneal port placement for optimally cytoreduced advanced ovarian cancer

To evaluate complications of intraperitoneal ports placed laparoscopically as a separate procedure after initial debulking surgery for ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer.

A retrospective case series (Canadian Task Force Classification III).

Inpatient, academic teaching institution.

Female patients of any age, at a single institution, undergoing laparoscopically-assisted intraperitoneal port placement after initial surgery for ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer from January 2001 through December 2009.

Laparoscopically assisted intra-peritoneal port placement.

Thirty-three ports were successfully placed, with no conversions to laparotomy. Only 2 patients were unable to receive intraperitoneal chemotherapy, and there was 1 major complication (enterotomy) related to port placement. There were 6 cases of port dysfunction (17%); however, in 3 cases the port was replaced and subsequently functioned well. There were 2 cases of port infection necessitating port removal. The majority (81.8%) of patients were able to complete all planned cycles of intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Based on the data from our institution, laparoscopic placement of an intraperitoneal port may be safely performed as a second procedure after initial surgery for stage III ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer and provides access for post-operative therapy.