Operative laparoscopy in the management of ovarian cancer

Advances in operative laparoscopic techniques have made possible the extension of this technology to the treatment of women with ovarian cancer. We present a detailed case series of eight patients with ovarian cancer who underwent a total of 11 operative laparoscopies for treatment of ovarian cancer ranging in stage from IA to IIIC. Three patients underwent initial laparoscopic staging and therapeutic debulking procedures. In three other cases that were incompletely staged via laparotomy, laparoscopy was used to complete the staging. Interval laparoscopic tumor debulking combined with second-look laparoscopy was performed in four cases. We describe our experience with these new applications of evolving techniques with particular regard to potential advantages, disadvantages, and complications. This detailed preliminary case series suggests the need for prospective clinical studies to establish the safety and efficacy of the approach.