Objective:To explore the association between the use of the Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator for cytoreduction of ovarian cancer and the intraoperative development of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).Methods:A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients undergoing surgery for ovarian cancer from September 1991 to February 1993. Data were extracted to correlate clinical and hematologic evidence of DIC with and without intraoperative use of the Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator. Statistical analyses were done byX2and analysis of variance.Results:Fifty‐one patients underwent surgery for ovarian cancer; 33 had stage IIIB, IIIC, IV, or recurrent disease and could be evaluated for this study. Nineteen patients were treated with the surgical aspirator, five of whom developed an intraoperative coagulopathy, as compared to none of 14 patients treated with conventional cytoreduction (P< .04,X2). The duration of use of the surgical aspirator correlated with the risk of coagulopathy (P< .001, analysis of variance).Conclusion:These data suggest a potential risk of developing DIC after extended use of the Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator for cytoreduction of ovarian cancer.(Obstet Gynecol 1994;83:1011‐4)