Pelviscopic surgery in women over 40.

One hundred seventy women who underwent operative laparoscopy over 67 months were evaluated. Forty-four were over 40 years old; their ages ranged up to 68, and their mean age was 45. The operations varied from simple pelviscopic lysis of adhesions to bilateral oophorectomy; 18 patients had the latter. A protocol involving CA-125 and ultrasound was introduced to decrease the risk of affecting the prognosis of potentially malignant ovarian tumors. A technique was developed that may answer possible criticisms of the endoscopic approach to surgery in women who are past childbearing.