In this episode of the IJGC podcast, Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Pedro Ramirez, is joined by Professor Giovanni Scambia and Dr. Carmine Conte to discuss mildly invasive surgery in ovarian cancer. Prof. Scambia is the Director of the Gynecologic Oncology Unit and the Scientific Director of Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS in Rome, Italy. He is Full Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, at Catholic University in Rome, and Member of Consiglio Superiore di Sanità, Ministry of Health Italy and Vice President 1st Section of Consiglio Superiore di Sanità. He is President Elect of E.S.G.E. (European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy), and Past President of the Italian Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (S.I.G.O.). Prof. Scambia is specialized in gynaecological cancer treatment and research. He has studied and developed innovative surgical approaches for the cure of gynecological cancers and has been invited professor in several academic hospitals both in Europe and outside Europe, and he is considered an opinion leader in the field of gynecologic oncology. Dr. Carmine Conte works at the Gynecologic Oncology Unit at Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS in Rome, Italy. He got the ESGO Fellowship diploma and is recognized as a certified European Gynaecological Oncologist. Dr. Conte is a surgeon and researcher with special interest in minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopy and robotic) to treat cancerous and noncancerous diseases of the female reproductive system.

Highlights:

- The patients with oligometastatic recurrent disease had a higher likelihood of minimally invasive secondary cytoreductive surgery.

- Lymphnodal recurrences can be easily approached by MIS.

- Propensity-matched analysis showed no differences in survival between the MIS and open groups, with a higher rate of overall and severe early complications in the open group.

- Diagnostic laparoscopy and PET/CT scan should be considered complementary because of the potential of each one to identify a different disease setting.

- A diagnostic laparoscopy before secondary cytoreductive surgery may prevent unnecessary laparotomies.