Laparoscopy for Primary Cytoreductive Surgery in Advanced Ovarian Cancer: a Prospective Validation and Comparison With Open Surgery.

All patients with presumed stage III-IV ovarian cancer and clinical conditions allowing aggressive surgery were candidate to possible primary cytoreduction with the aim of achieving residual tumor=0. A definite protocol was adopted: after radiological preoperative evaluation with PET-CT scan, all patients underwent laparoscopic evaluation with the Fagotti score. Once considered suitable for primary debulking surgery, the possibility of attempting laparoscopic cytoreduction was carefully evaluated using strict selection criteria; patients were divided in two groups, based on the type of surgical approach. At the end of laparoscopic primary cytoreduction, a ultra-low pubic minilaparotomy was performed to extract surgical specimens and to perform laparoscopic hand-assisted exploration of the abdominal organs, in order to ensure complete excision of the disease. Surgical data, optimal cytoreduction (defined as residual tumor=0) rates and survival outcomes were investigated.