The changing role of "second-look" laparotomy in the management of epithelial carcinoma of the ovary.

Thirty-seven of 137 patients had a "second-look" laparotomy in the course of their management of carcinoma of the ovary. Patients were stratified according to three indications: (1) evaluation of disease with intent of stopping therapy, (2) assessment of signs of recurrent or persistent disease with a view to debulking tumor mass and changing chemotherapy, and (3) further tumor resection following cis-platinum combination therapy and determination of further chemotherapeutic agents. "Second-look" laparotomy may be performed after a shorter time interval when combination therapy is given because of the dose-limiting side effects of some of these agents and a more aggressive surgical approach in debulking tumors. At the time of laparotomy, cytologic testing is performed on the peritoneal fluid, and only areas suspicious for malignancy are biopsied. Thirteen percent of patients with no evidence of disease at "second-look" laparotomy developed recurrent disease. Twenty-nine percent of patients classified as clinically free of disease had malignancy present at the time of operation. Continued routine use of "second-look" laparotomy after appropriate chemotherapy is recommended.