Results of second-look laparotomy in patients with early-stage ovarian carcinoma.
One hundred twelve patients with early (FIGO stage I and II) ovarian carcinoma had a second-look laparotomy performed after comprehensive surgical staging and randomization into clinical protocols. Of the 95 patients who were asymptomatic before second-look laparotomy, only 5% had positive findings. In contrast, 53% of the 17 patients with findings that suggested recurrence or bowel obstruction had disease at second-look laparotomy. Overall, only 13% of the entire group of 112 patients had recurrent disease at second-look laparotomy. Asymptomatic patients with early ovarian carcinoma who have undergone careful initial surgical staging followed by appropriate adjuvant therapy can be spared a routine second-look operation.
Walton
L
L
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill.
Ellenberg
S S
SS
Major
F
F
Miller
A
A
Park
R
R
Young
R C
RC
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation; D012086:Reoperation