The influence of initial residual disease on the outcome of second-look laparotomy in patients with carcinoma of the ovary.

Sixty four patients with epithelial ovarian cancer underwent second-look laparotomy. Influencing factors on the outcome of the second-look laparotomy were analysed. Both grade and stage appeared to have an effect on the outcome of the procedure. However, this effect appeared to be dependent on the amount of residual disease after primary surgery. The amount of residual disease appeared to be independently associated with the outcome of second-look laparotomy.