Evaluation of single-port laparoscopy for peritoneal carcinomatosis assessment in advanced ovarian cancer

ObjectivesOvarian cancers are usually diagnosed at an advanced stage. The extent of the disease before surgery partly determines the ability to perform a complete cytoreduction. The peritoneal cancer index (PCI) is used to evaluate peritoneal carcinomatosis and has been validated in ovarian cancer and correlated with resectability. The aim of our study was to assess the feasibility of single-port laparoscopy (SPL) for suspicion of advanced ovarian cancer and to describe the ability to calculate the PCI score at the time of laparoscopy.Study designBetween February 2011 and January 2013, 33 patients underwent SPL for suspected advanced ovarian cancer. Individual records for all patients were prospectively reviewed and analyzed. For each patient, we determined the PCI score.Results33 patients underwent initial SPL, 85% had increased carcinological markers and 67% a radiological suspicion of peritoneal carcinomatosis. The median operative time was 90 min. During SPL, 76% of patients underwent ascites evacuation; all patients had peritoneal cytology and peritoneal biopsies. Only 3 patients experienced perioperative complications. Two open conversions were recorded. Quotation of the PCI score was possible for all patients. Eighteen patients (55%) had a PCI score below 10; one had a maximal PCI score of 39. The PCI score was null for 9 patients. Non-browsing areas marked 8 procedures.ConclusionsSPL appeared to be feasible, with satisfying immediate results and postoperative outcome, compared to conventional laparoscopy. It allowed a satisfying exploration of the abdomino-pelvic cavity and a good description of peritoneal carcinomatosis with only a few non-browsing PCI areas.