Hyaluronate-based coating solution for prevention of surgical adhesions has no major effect on adhesion and growth of intraperitoneal tumour cells

Objective: To find out whether the perioperative use of a solution containing hyaluronic acid (HA, Sepracoat) might affect the adhesion of tumour cells. Design: Laboratory studies in vitro and in two experiments in rats. Setting: Teaching hospital, The Netherlands. Subjects: 27 female inbred WAG rats. Interventions: Mesothelial cells were cultured in monolayers and the adhesion of CC‐531 colonic carcinoma cells was assessed with and without Sepracoat. Uterine horn experiment: after laparotomy Sepracoat 3ml (n = 5) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) (n = 4) were instilled in rats; the right uterine horn was abraided with gauze, and the left was left untouched; CC‐531 cells were seeded intraperitoneally; and the tumour load at 8 different sites was scored after 3 weeks. Laparotomy model: after laparotomy Sepracoat and PBS were instilled (n = 9 rats in each group), CC‐531 cells were seeded, and the wound was closed; the tumour load was scored after 3 weeks. Results: Sepracoat had a small but significant inhibitory effect on the adhesion of CC‐531 cells in vitro. However, we were unable to repeat this effect in either rat experiment. Conclusion: Sepracoat may inhibit adhesion of tumour cells to the mesothelium but it had no appreciable effect on intra‐abdominal tumour growth in this dose in either experiment in rats. Copyright © 1999 Taylor and Francis Ltd.