A prospective study was carried out to evaluate 2nd-look laparoscopy in patients in complete clinical remission after prolonged chemotherapy for advanced ovarian adenocarcinoma. Twenty-two patients with FIGO [International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics] stages IIB, III and IV ovarian adenocarcinoma underwent 2nd-look laparoscopy after a median of 23 mo. of therapy. Eight (36.3%) patients had documented evidence of persistent ovarian cancer and were thus spared 2nd-look laparotomy. In 4 patients (18.1%), malignant cells in cytologic washings were the only laparoscopic evidence of persistent ovarian cancer. The absence of visible tumor and malignant cells in cytologic washings allows for the use of 2nd-look laparotomy while the patient is under 1 anesthesia; the presence of tumor or malignant cells in cytologic washings spares the patient 2nd-look laparotomy at that time.