[Puncture of the posterior vault in the cytological diagnosis of malignant ovarian tumors].

To confirm diagnosis, 4,614 punctures of the Douglas pouch through the posterior vault of the vagina have been performed in cases of suspected tumor located in the small pelvis since 1969. Further cytological examination established ovarian cancer in 871 cases, reactive changes in the mesothelium--186 and inflammatory lesions in the small pelvis--in 486 cases. Cytological data and the results of histological examination of resected tumors were compared: diagnosis was false-negative in 5.9% and false-positive--in 1.5% of cases. The said method was shown to be completely safe and highly instrumental both in cases of tumor in the small pelvis and detection of recurrences. Therefore, it may be recommended for application in out-patient service.