Upper Abdominal Resections as Part of Tertiary Cytoreduction for Relapsed Ovarian Cancer

Abstract

Background/aim: The role of upper abdominal resection as part of debulking surgery for advanced-stage or relapsed ovarian cancer has been widely debated. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of upper abdominal resection as part of tertiary cytoreduction.

Patients and methods: Between 2005 and 2019, 11 cases presenting upper abdominal recurrences after surgically treated ovarian cancer were submitted to surgery with radical intent.

Results: Complete debulking surgery was feasible in eight cases, optimal debulking was performed in two cases, while in one case a suboptimal resection was performed. The most commonly performed upper abdominal resections consisted of liver resection in seven cases, splenectomy in four cases, diaphragmatic resection in three cases, pancreatic tail resection in two cases and partial gastrectomy in another two cases. Postoperative complications were encountered in two cases, while postoperative mortality was null.

Conclusion: Extended upper abdominal resection can be safely performed in order to increase the chances of optimal debulking surgery at the time of tertiary cytoreduction.

Keywords: Tertiary cytoreduction; ovarian cancer; resection; upper abdomen.