Feasibility of laparoscopic debulking with electrosurgical loop excision procedure and argon beam coagulator at recurrence in patients with previous laparotomy debulking.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose is to assess the feasibility and success of laparoscopic ovarian debulking with electrosurgical loop excision procedure (LEEP) and argon beam coagulator (ABC).


METHODS
Thirty-six consecutive asymptomatic patients with chemosensitive stage III or IV ovarian cancer who had undergone prior laparotomy debulking and chemotherapy, underwent laparoscopic debulking at the time of elevated CA 125. Preoperative abdominal/pelvic computed tomography was negative. Operative laparoscopy was performed through an open technique in the left upper quadrant. Tumors were debulked laparoscopically by using the LEEP and the ABC.


RESULTS
Of 36 patients, 34 (94%) underwent successful laparoscopic debulking without requiring laparotomy. Of 34 patients, 32 (94%) had all visible disease resected at laparoscopy; 6% had surgical complications. Median time for surgery was 2.6 hours, median blood loss 70 mL, and median hospital stay 1 day. Seventy-four percent had a complete response after laparoscopic debulking and chemotherapy with a median progression free survival of 1.1 years.


CONCLUSIONS
We present the first report of laparoscopic ovarian debulking using LEEP and ABC after elevation of CA 125 in chemosensitive, asymptomatic patients who had undergone prior laparotomy debulking. Laparoscopic debulking appears feasible (94%), successful (94%), and safe (6% complications). Prospective randomized trials are needed to determine the optimal management of asymptomatic, chemosensitive patients with elevated CA 125.
Trinh
Huong
H
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of the Ohio, Toledo, Ohio, USA.
Ott
Christopher
C
Fanning
James
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000379:methods; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome