The management of diaphragmatic lesions in ovarian carcinoma

Cytoreduction is currently an essential feature of the treatment of carcinoma of the ovary. Occasionally, optimal reduction is achieved except for localized diaphragmatic lesions. Two patients who were treated with primary cytoreduction for epithelial ovarian carcinoma had localized full-thickness diaphragmatic metastasis. Often resection is avoided because of concern about pneumothorax. A safe and easy method is described for removing peritoneal and diaphragmatic muscular metastasis without the need for a thoracostomy tube. These patients were cytoreduced without morbidity. The first patient is currently free of disease at 17 months after surgery. The second patient had a 13-month disease-free interval before her abdominal recurrence.