The influence of a pneumoperitoneum on the peritoneal implantation of free intraperitoneal colon cancer cells.
BACKGROUND
In order to test the influence of a pneumoperitoneum on the peritoneal implantation of free intraperitoneal colon cancer cells, 40 male syngeneic WAG rats were at random divided into four groups.


METHODS
Group 1 (n = 10) animals underwent a midline laparotomy and 10(4) CC531 colon cancer cells were injected intraperitoneally (IP); in group 2 (n = 10) 10(4) CC531 cells were injected IP without further manipulation; in group 3 (n = 10) a pneumoperitoneum up to 10 mmHg was created after the IP injection of the same amount of CC531 cells. The pneumoperitoneum was maintained for 15 min. Finally in group 4 (n = 10) after the IP injection of 10(4) CC531 cells and after the creation of a pneumoperitoneum, two 14-G IV catheters simulating trocars were introduced in each flank. A follow-up period of 8 weeks was used. Tumor implantation was scored according to the peritoneal cancer index of Eggermont and the index of Chauffert.


RESULTS
Tumor nodules were found varying from 60% in groups 1-3 to 50% in group 4. There was no statistical difference between the implantation rate in the four groups. A port-site recurrence was seen in group 4; all the other tumor implants were located in the mesenterium, omentum, internal genitals, or parietal peritoneum.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of a pneumoperitoneum does not enhance the implantation of free intraperitoneal malignant colon cancer cells in the rat, but the presence of a "port" may lead to abdominal-wall metastases.
Hubens
G
G
Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, University of Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650 Antwerp, Belgium.
Pauwels
M
M
Hubens
A
A
Vermeulen
P
P
Van Marck
E
E
Eyskens
E
E
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000556:secondary*; D000818:Animals; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D008297:Male; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary*; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000601:surgery*; D011028:Pneumoperitoneum, Artificial; D051381:Rats; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured