[A cytological study of peritoneal fluid obtained in gynecological laparotomies--with special reference to the diagnosis of ovarian malignancy].

Cellular elements contained in peritoneal fluids collected in 296 cases of gynecological laparotomies, including 126 cases of ovarian tumors, were studied, and the following results were presented. The most common cells identified in peritoneal fluids in gynecological patients without ovarian tumor were histiocytes and mesothelial cells. The incidence of the former (43 per cent) was slightly greater than of the latter (34 per cent). No close correlation was found between the incidence of these cells and the indication of gynecological laparotomy. Mesothelial cells contained in peritoneal fluids could be classified into three types. No cyclic changes were seen in the incidence and occupancy of these three types of mesothelial cells. More tumor cells could be seen in peritoneal fluids in cases of ovarian tumor of which surface was irregular or damaged. On the other hand, when peritoneal fluids were bloody, tumor cells could be detected more easily. Incidence of ovarian tumor cells in peritoneal fluids was the highest in cases of frankly malignant, moderate in semi-malignant, and the lowest in benign. A systemic comparison of cytological findings in peritoneal fluids with histological patterns of ovarian tumors was done, and it was concluded that not only the "malignant or not" but also the "cell-type of ovarian tumor" can be diagnosed on the basis of the cytological findings in peritoneal fluids in a variety of ovarian tumors.