Cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer

Aim: The aim of this study is to describe the technique of managing peritoneal dissemination in patients with ovarian cancer, based on radical surgical excision and, later, perioperative chemotherapy. Method:Treatments included complete surgical resection of the peritoneal disease, and intraperitoneal intraoperative and postoperative chemotherapy, using Adriamycin® intraoperatively, and Cis-platinol® next 1–5 postoperative days. Results: Eleven cytoreductive procedures were performed between 1996 and 2002. Eight patients with primary ovarian cancer underwent total hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy, omentectomy and peritonectomy of the pelvic cavity. In 3 cases with recurrent ovarian cancer, peritonectomy alone was performed. Bowel resection was performed in all patients. The median operation time was 279 min (range 190–500 min). Median total blood loss was 919 mL (range 450–1330 mL). The median survival time was 22 months. Conclusion: Cytoreductive procedure offers satisfactory results in peritoneal carcinomatosis in patients with advanced primary ovarian cancer.