[The therapeutic value of second-look laparotomy in advanced ovarian carcinoma]

42 patients with advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma who were clinically free of disease after completed postoperative chemotherapy were submitted to second-look laparotomy at the University clinics of Bilbao and Santander, in Northern Spain, between 1980 and 1987. Tumor was demonstrated in 22 of the cases (52.3%). This paper deals with the question of whether this knowledge and the ensuing change in therapy resulted in a longterm benefit for the patients or not. In our experience, this was not the case. All second-look-positive patients either died during the follow-up period, or showed tumor progression if they survived more than 6 months. Survival sank to 50% after only 24 months, and steadily thereafter to 0% after 78 months. The therapeutical value of second-look laparotomy is heavily questioned by these results.