Protective covering of surgical wounds with honey impedes tumor implantation.
OBJECTIVE
Tumor implantation (TI) development at the surgical wound following cancer surgery is still an unresolved concern. Trocar site recurrence, which is likely a form of TI, has become one of the most controversial topics and, with the widespread acceptance of laparoscopic surgery, has caused renewed interest in questions about TI. Honey has positive effects on wound healing. Physiological and chemical properties of honey might prevent TI when applied locally.


METHODS
Sixty BALB/c strain mice, divided into 2 groups, were wounded in the posterior neck area. Group 1 mice formed the control group, and group 2 mice had wounds coated with honey before and after tumor inoculation. All wounds were inoculated with transplantable Ehrlich ascites tumor. The presence of TI was confirmed in the wounded area by histopathological examination on the 10th day.


RESULTS
Tumor implantation was achieved in all group 1 animals and verified by palpable mass and histopathological examination. In group 2 mice, although TI could not be detected macroscopically, it was revealed by pathological examination in 8 cases. Tumor implantation was less likely in group 2 mice (8 of 30 vs 30 of 30; P<.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Tumor implantation was markedly decreased by the application of honey pre- and postoperatively. It is possible that the physiological and chemical properties of honey protected wounds against TI. Honey could be used as a wound barrier against TI during pneumoperitoneum in laparoscopic oncological surgery and in other fields of oncological surgery.
Hamzaoglu
I
I
Department of Surgery, Cerrahpaşa Medical School, Istanbul University, E-2/3 A-9 34750, 5. Kisim Ataköy, Istanbul, Turkey. hulya@turk.net
Saribeyoglu
K
K
Durak
H
H
Karahasanoglu
T
T
Bayrak
I
I
Altug
T
T
Sirin
F
F
Sariyar
M
M
D000818:Animals; D006722:Honey; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009366:Neoplasm Seeding; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects; D014945:Wound Healing