The effects of CO2 pneumoperitoneum on the survival of women with persistent metastatic ovarian cancer.

Objectives: The effects of CO(2) pneumoperitoneum on the survival of women with metastatic ovarian cancer have not been documented. We sought to describe the survival of women with persistent stage III-IV ovarian cancer as documented by positive second-look laparoscopy or laparotomy and to see whether the laparoscopic approach with CO(2) pneumoperitoneum has a negative effect on overall survival.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all patients with FIGO stage III-IV invasive epithelial ovarian cancer who were found to have persistent disease at second-look surgery.