Cytoreduction of ovarian cancer with the cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator

The Cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator was used for cytoreduction in ten patients with intra-abdominal malignancy (nine ovarian and one fallopian tube). The mean age was 65 years, and eight patients had stage IIIC disease. Standard surgical techniques were used to resect the adnexa, uterus, and omentum. The Cavitron was used to remove disease from the diaphragm, spleen, stomach, and small bowel without resection or injury. These nongenital viscera would have required resection using surgical techniques for cytoreduction. The mean Cavitron surgical time was 49 minutes. Cytoreduction by the Cavitron facilitates tumor removal and reduces the requirement for nongenital visceral resection.