Introduction/Background*The aim of surgery for advanced-stage ovarian cancer is complete cytoreductive surgery, because this is the most important independent prognostic factor for prolonged survival. Yet this can be difficult to achieve when there are micrometastases on the mesenterium or intestines. The PlasmaJet^® Surgical device is an instrument to remove these micrometastases, but little is known about the depth of tissue damage compared to electrocoagulation devices.

Methodology A prospective study was performed to determine the histological depth of thermal damage in tissues in a series of 106 histological slides of 17 advanced-stage ovarian cancer patients to compare thermal damage depth after use of the PlasmaJet^® Surgical device with electrocoagulation devices. Depending on which tissue types were resected during complete cytoreductive surgery, samples were collected from reproductive organs (uterus, ovaries), intestines (ileum, colon, rectum) and omentum, mesenterium and peritoneum. A systematic review of the literature on tissue damage with the PlasmaJet^® Surgical device was carried out.

Result(s)*Average thermal damage depth was 0.15 mm (range 0.03-0.60 mm) after use of the PlasmaJet and 0.33 mm (range 0.08-1.80 mm) after use of electrocoagulation (P<0.001). Greater disruption of the tissue surface was often observed after electrocoagulation use. These results correspond with the available literature.

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Abstract 188 Figure 1

Conclusion*Based on our case series and review of literature, we conclude that PlasmaJet treatment produces significantly less thermal damage than electrocoagulation treatment. It is therefore considered a safe alternative, aiding in the achievement of complete cytoreductive surgery in patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer without complications due to perforation of hollow organs.