Optimal cytoreduction with neutral argon plasma energy in selected patients with ovarian and primitive peritoneal cancer.

INTRODUCTION

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a deadly disease for which optimal cytoreduction to microscopic disease has shown the best correlation with survival. Electrically neutral argon plasma technology is a novel surgical tool to allow aggressive cytoreduction in selected patients with EOC, primary peritoneal cancer, and tubal cancer.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective feasibility study of the use of neutral argon plasma technology to complete cytoreductive surgery in order to assess its ability to obtain optimal cytoreduction.

RESULTS

Six patients had their surgery completed with the neutral argon plasma device. None of the patients would have had optimal surgery unless the device had been available. All patients had cytoreduction to less than 5 mm to 10 mm without additional morbidity. One patient had complete cytoreduction, and two had residual disease of less than 2 mm.

CONCLUSION

Electrically neutral plasma argon technology is a useful technology to maximize cytoreduction and to reduce tumour burden in selected cases of EOC.