Exploring Vascular Complications in Ovarian Cancer Surgery: A Narrative Literature Review with a New Management...

Vascular complications during ovarian cancer surgery are rare but potentially severe. The objective of this review was to underline the need to standardize and optimize the management of these rare complications within an evidence-based framework.

This review included the literature until 29 December 2024 and finally analyzed 17 studies, with 40 vascular complications reported.

Complications primarily occurred intraoperatively and involved both arterial and venous systems. Management approaches involved interdisciplinary collaboration, including vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists. Nevertheless, the collected data do not accurately reflect the reality of vascular complications in ovarian cancer surgery, as more than half of the included studies were case reports or research letters. This highlights the lack of standardized guidelines and limited training in vascular surgery for gynecologic oncologists, the importance of preoperative planning, including detailed imaging, risk stratification, and a multidisciplinary approach to mitigate complications. The authors propose an algorithm emphasizing prevention, timely identification, and effective management of vascular injuries alongside postoperative monitoring.

The findings stress the need for treatment in high-volume tertiary centers and advocate advanced surgical training, incorporating virtual reality simulations to address vascular complications. Future research should focus on large multicenter studies to establish evidence-based guidelines for managing vascular complications in ovarian cancer surgery. Innovations in technology and education may further improve outcomes, ensuring optimal care for patients undergoing these complex procedures.