[Is there a place for 2nd look laparotomy in the treatment of ovarian cancers?].

The charts of 147 patients with advanced ovarian cancers responding completely (CR) or partially (PR > 50%) to a primary cisplatin-based chemotherapy are reviewed. All fulfilled our criterias to undergo second-look laparotomy. One hundred patients (group A) underwent second-look laparotomy and 47 patients (group B) other features of control: laparoscopy 37 patients, clinical control ten patients. Apart metastatic spread more frequent in group B (A vs B = 10 vs 32%) and tumor grade 1 more frequent in group B (A vs B = 33 vs 49%), the two groups were well balanced concerning tumor characteristics and treatment features. All patients had received a complementary treatment after the second-look procedures. With a median follow-up of 86 months in group A and 104 months in group B, no difference was found in overall nor in recurrence-free survival. Within group A, 34 patients had achieved pathologic proved complete remission. Their 5-year survival was 73% with an incidence of recurrence of 32%. Second-look laparotomy was found an invasive technique with a 15% operative morbidity. Its therapeutic apport seems absent and the diagnostic role limited to indication of radiotherapy in CR patients. Second-look laparotomies should be reserved to trials evaluating its proper place but should not be used systematically to assess tumor response to chemotherapy. The good 5-year survival of the CR mi group suggest the beneficial impact of complementary treatment, but prospective trials are needed to evaluate the place of this treatment.