Prognostic influence of delays between exploratory and definitive laparotomy in the treatment of malignant ovarian tumors.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate whether a delay between a preliminary exploratory laparotomy and a definitive staging laparotomy and interval chemotherapy between the two operations affected the prognosis of ovarian cancer. METHODS: Of 504 patients with malignant tumors of the ovary who were treated at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology between 1980 and 1993, there were 24 who had a delayed definitive staging laparotomy. RESULTS: Sixteen patients did not have chemotherapy between their two operations. After definitive laparotomy, 13 patients (54.2%) were free of disease and 11 patients had residual disease (45.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The value of chemotherapy between preliminary and definitive laparotomy in halting tumor growth was not demonstrated by the results of our analysis.