[Peritoneal instillation of taurolidine and heparin for preventing intraperitoneal tumor growth and trocar metastases in laparoscopic operations in the rat model].

Background: Although port-site metastases occur after laparoscopic surgery, there is no generally accepted approach to prevent tumor implantation so far.

Methods: In order to prevent tumor metastases, the effect of taurolidine and heparin on the growth of colon adenocarcinoma DHD/K12/TRb was measured in vitro and in a rat model. After incubation of the cells with heparin, taurolidine or both substances, the cell kinetics were determined. In a second experiment, tumor cells were administered intraperitoneally in rats (n = 60) and pneumoperitoneum was established over 30 min. Rats were randomized into four groups (I: tumor cells; II: cells + heparin; III: cells + taurolidine; IV: cells + taurolidine + heparin).

Results: While tumor cell growth was not influenced by heparin in vitro, growth decreased significantly after incubation with taurolidine and taurolidine/heparin. In vivo, intraperitoneal tumor weight was lower in rats receiving heparin (298 +/- 155 mg) and taurolidine (149 +/- 247 mg) than in the control group (596 +/- 278 mg). When the two substance were combined, tumor growth was even less (21.5 +/- 36 mg). Trocar metastases were only lower in rats receiving taurolidine or the combination of taurolidine and heparin.

Conclusion: In vivo, heparin inhibits intraperitoneal tumor growth only slightly, while taurolidine causes a significant decrease in tumor cell growth in vitro as well as intraperitoneal tumor growth and trocar metastases in vivo.