title: Evaluation of ovarian cancer by second-look laparotomy after treatment.
abstract: In the five-year period 1975 to 1979, 234 patients entered the Royal Brisbane Hospital Consultative Ovarian Cancer Clinic's management programme. Thirty-six patients were considered suitable for evaluation by a subsequent laparotomy following completion of the treatment programme. The clinic's protocol for second-look surgery and its results are presented. The findings from the protocol-based surgery were accurate in 23 of 24 patients (96%) on the basis of subsequent follow-up, and surgery was free of complications in 33 of 36 patients (92%). The objectives of management are reviewed, and a recommendation about the timing of surgery is made. In all cases there must be individualization of treatment.
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D007813:Laparotomy; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D013997:Time Factors