Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) evaluation of pleural effusions in patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian carcinoma can influence the primary management choice for these patients.

Objectives: To assess the utility of thoracoscopy in defining the extent of intrathoracic disease and survival outcomes in patients with moderate to large pleural effusions at the time of diagnosis of advanced ovarian carcinoma.
Methods: We reviewed the records of all patients with untreated advanced ovarian carcinoma and moderate to large pleural effusions who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) our institution between 6/01 and 10/08. Demographic, clinicopathologic and outcome data were collected for all patients with a final diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma.
Results: Forty-two patients met eligibility criteria, with a median age of 58 years; median CA-125 level of 1747 U/mL; and medium serum albumin of 3.9 g/dl. VATS was performed for right-sided effusions in 30 patients (71%). Macroscopic pleural disease was found in 29 patients (69%). Of the 11 patients with negative cytology, macroscopic pleural disease was found in 4 (36%). Intrathoracic cytoreductive surgery was performed in 6 (33%) of the 18 patients with intrathoracic disease >1 cm. After VATS, 29/42 (69%) patients underwent attempted primary abdominal surgical debulking. Thirteen patients (31%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Twelve (92%) of these patients underwent interval cytoreductive surgery. Patients who were directed after VATS to neoadjuvant chemotherapy instead of primary surgical cytoreduction had a 2-year PFS rate of 22% compared to 42% for the primary cytoreductive group (P=0.36).
Conclusions: Overall, management was altered based on VATS findings in 43% of cases. Further investigation is needed to define the prognostic significance of VATS evaluation of the burden of pleural disease.