Upper abdominal surgical procedures: Liver mobilization and diaphragm peritonectomy/resection, splenectomy, and distal pancreatectomy

Patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer often have metastatic disease in the upper abdominal region. In particular, metastases to the diaphragm are exceedingly common in these patients. A comprehensive approach to surgical cytoreduction, which has been associated with improved survival in patients with advanced ovarian cancer, should incorporate upper abdominal resection.