Surgery following initial treatment of ovarian carcinoma: restaging (second-look) and palliative operations

Of 73 patients treated for ovarian carcinoma at the University of Nebraska Medical Center between 1976 and 1982, 37 underwent a second operative procedure following initial surgery. A total of 14 had a second look following complete clinical response, 11 had intestinal diversion, and 12 underwent other procedures. Second-look surgery proved useful in evaluating patients in clinical remission and directing subsequent management. The majority of patients whose operations were for persistent or recurrent disease had short survival. However, such surgery helps occasional patients and should be considered when circumstances warrant.