INTESTINAL-OBSTRUCTION IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED OVARIAN-CANCER

A retrospective analysis of the management of intestinal obstruction i n 31 patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma is described. Between 19 81 and 1992 31 patients developed intestinal obstruction after their i nitial treatment. Nineteen patients underwent surgery, while the remai ning 12 were treated conservatively. Careful evaluation with contrast studies of both the small intestine and colon is recommended to improv e the prediction of site(s) of obstruction, and may reduce the number of unsuccessful. operative procedures. Fifteen of the surgically treat ed patients survived for a period of 60 days or more. The majority, 13 , were discharged to their homes after an average hospital stay of 24. days. Major postoperative complications occurred in three of the 19 p atients. There was no surgical-related mortality. Two patients died wi thin 30 days postoperatively (urosepsis and advanced tumor). While the median survival in the 19 surgical treated patients was 104 days (ran ge 15-775), the conservatively treated 12 patients survived for a mean of 37 days (range 6-260). Surgical management of intestinal obstructi on in selected cases is feasible and improves quality of life substant ially.