Ritu Salani, MD, MBA

STUDY DISCUSSANT Ritu Salani, MD, MBA, of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, agreed with the LION trial investigators. 

“Omitting systemic lymph node dissection in patients who have both radiographic and clinically negative lymph nodes is acceptable,” she said. “I always thought the lymph nodes represented a sanctuary for ovarian cancer, and this is why we removed them. I think this actually debunks that theory…. Also, without doing any analysis, you can expect that this will have cost-effective benefits as well.” 

Dr. Salani lamented one consequence of this potential change in practice, however. “Our fellows are getting less exposure to lymph node dissections,” she pointed out. “We need to continue to challenge ourselves to develop intentional surgical curricula to maintain excellent surgical skills.” ■

DISCLOSURE: Dr. Salani reported no conflicts of interest.