Effect of fibrin sealant on perianastomotic tumor growth in an experimental model of colorectal cancer surgery.
Viable intraluminal tumor cells can penetrate a clinically intact rodent colonic anastomosis and give rise to perianastomotic tumor growth. The aim of this study was to determine whether transanastomotic cell migration can be prevented by fibrin-based tissue sealant. Following distal colonic transection and reanastomosis with 5/0 silk sutures, Fischer F344 rats were randomly allocated to three experimental groups. In Group A, a circumferential ring of tissue sealant was placed around the serosal surface of the anastomosis; in Group B, sealant was limited to 50 percent of the anastomotic circumference; and, in Group C, no sealant was applied. All rats then had 10(5) Mtln3 carcinoma cells injected into the proximal colonic lumen via a rectal catheter. The incidence of perianastomotic tumor at 21 days was significantly lower in Group A (3 of 14 animals) than in Group B (11 of 16 rats) (P = 0.012; Fisher's exact test) or Group C (10 of 14 rats; P = 0.011). A further experiment demonstrated that sealant did not protect the anastomosis when tumor cells were instilled directly into the peritoneal cavity. A topical carcinocidal action therefore appears unlikely, but our results suggest that a circumferential anastomotic ring of fibrin sealant forms an effective mechanical barrier preventing intraluminal tumor cells from reaching the peritoneal cavity.
McGregor
J R
JR
University Department of Surgery, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Reinbach
D H
DH
Dahill
S W
SW
O'Dwyer
P J
PJ
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344
D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive