Abstract Background Fluid overload and hypovolemia promote postoperative complications in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer. In the present study, postoperative complications and anastomotic leakage were investigated before and after implementation of pulse pressure variation-guided fluid management (PPVGFM) during ovarian cancer surgery. Patients and Methods A total of n = 243 patients with ovarian cancer undergoing cytoreductive surgery at the University Hospital Bonn were retrospectively evaluated. Cohort A (CA; n = 185 patients) was treated before and cohort B (CB; n = 58 patients) after implementation of PPVGFM. Both cohorts were compared regarding postoperative complications. Results Ultrasevere complications (G4/G5) were exclusively present in CA (p = 0.0025). No difference between cohorts was observed regarding severe complications (G3–G5) (p = 0.062). Median positive fluid excess was lower in CB (p = 0.001). This was independent of tumor load [peritoneal cancer index] (p = 0.001) and FIGO stage (p = 0.001). Time to first postoperative defecation was shorter in CB (CB: d2 median versus CA: d3 median; p = 0.001). CB had a shorter length of hospital stay (p = 0.003), less requirement of intensive medical care (p = 0.001) and postoperative ventilation (p = 0.001). CB received higher doses of noradrenalin (p = 0.001). In the combined study cohort, there were more severe complications (G3–G5) in the case of a PFE ≥ 3000 ml (p = 0.034) and significantly more anastomotic leakage in the case of a PFE ≥ 4000 ml (p = 0.006). Conclusions Intraoperative fluid reduction in ovarian cancer surgery according to a PPVGFM is safe and significantly reduces ultrasevere postoperative complications. PFEs of ≥ 3000 ml and ≥ 4000 ml were identified as cutoffs for significantly more severe complications and anastomotic leakage, respectively.