Abstract

Fifty-two intestinal operations were performed during 45 laparatomies in 43 non-obstructed ovarian cancer patients. The histology of the tumor was serous in 29/43 cases (67.5%). The gross postoperative morbidity rate was 15.5% and postoperative mortality rate 6.9%. The 5-year survival was 28.3%, and was not affected by the time of intestinal surgery (during the first or following laparotomies). As a result, intestinal surgery in advanced ovarian cancer patients is feasible without an undue increase in morbidity. However, it must be carefully tailored because, though contributing to the quality of life of these patients, it does not seem to affect their survival, at least in this retrospective series.