Objective: To compare the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic (LSC) staging of ovarian or fallopian tube cancers to staging via laparotomy (LAP) for epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC). Study Design: We performed a case-control study of all patients (pts) with apparent stage I adnexal cancers who had LSC staging from 10/00-3/03. The control group consisted of all pts with apparent stage I EOC who had staging via LAP during the same time period. Results: Staging was LSC in 20 pts and via LAP in 30.There were no differences in mean age and body mass index. There were also no differences in omental specimen size and number of lymph nodes removed. Estimated blood loss and hospital stay were lower for LSC, while operating time was longer. There were no conversions to LAP or complications in the LSC group compared with 3 minor complications in the LAP group. Conclusion: In this preliminary analysis, it appears that pts with apparent stage I ovarian or fallopian tube cancer can safely and adequately undergo LSC surgical staging.