Abstract
Background. The purpose of the work was to determine the feasibility and accuracy of microlaparoscopy as diagnostic method for the reassessment of ovarian cancer patients. Methods. Eight patients scheduled for second-look laparoscopy who had undergone primary surgery for ovarian cancer followed by 6 cycles of chemotherapy were included in the study. Microlaparoscopy was performed using a 2.8 mm laparoscope followed by conventional 10-mm laparoscopy. Three additional 5-mm ancillary trocars were inserted to perform intra-abdominal biopsies. Pelvic washings were performed in all cases. Results. Microlaparoscopy was feasible in all cases and as accurate as conventional laparoscopy in seven cases. In one case the procedure was terminated before conventional laparoscopy because of positive biopsies at frozen section examination. There were no intra-operative complications related to microlaparoscopy. The median time from skin incision to the removal of the microlaparoscope was 47 minutes (range 30-70). Conclusion. Microlaparoscopy seems to be a safe, accurate, minimally invasive method and therefore we suggest its use as primary approach to the reassessment of ovarian cancer patients.