Prospective validation of a laparoscopic predictive model for optimal cytoreduction in advanced ovarian carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to validate the performance of a laparoscopy-based model to predict optimal cytoreduction in advanced ovarian cancer patients.

STUDY

DESIGN

In a consecutive prospective series of 113 advanced ovarian cancer patients, the presence of omental cake, peritoneal and diaphragmatic extensive carcinosis, mesenteric retraction, bowel and stomach infiltration, spleen and/or liver superficial metastasis were investigated by laparoscopy. By summing the scores relative to all parameters, a laparoscopic assessment for each patient (total predictive index value = PIV) has been calculated. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy have been calculated for each PIV.

RESULTS

The overall accuracy rate of the laparoscopic procedure ranged between 77.3 and 100%. At a PIV >/= 8 the probability of optimally resecting the disease at laparotomy is equal to 0, and the rate of unnecessary exploratory laparotomy is 40.5%.

CONCLUSION

The proposed laparoscopic model appears a reliable and flexible tool to predict optimal cytoreduction in advanced ovarian cancer.