omentectomy
Pronunciation: oh-men-TEK-toh-mee
Surgical removal of the omentum, routinely performed as part of staging procedures for ovarian and other gynecologic cancers.
Full Definition
Omentectomy is the surgical removal of the omentum, a fold of peritoneum that hangs from the stomach and covers the intestines. In gynecologic oncology, omentectomy is a standard component of comprehensive surgical staging for ovarian cancer, as the omentum is a common site of metastatic disease. The procedure may involve removal of the entire greater omentum (total omentectomy) or just a portion (partial omentectomy). Even when the omentum appears grossly normal, microscopic metastases may be present, making omentectomy crucial for accurate staging and prognosis. The removed omental tissue is examined pathologically to determine the presence and extent of malignant involvement, which directly impacts staging and treatment planning.
Usage
Usage note: Specify whether total or partial omentectomy was performed and document gross and microscopic findings.
In Context
- "Total omentectomy revealed microscopic metastatic disease despite the grossly normal appearance of the omental tissue." — Operative report
- "The comprehensive staging procedure included bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, hysterectomy, and omentectomy." — Surgical plan documentation