Viability of tumor cells in the irrigation fluid of the cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA) after tumor fragmentation

The Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator (CUSA) (Cooper Medical, Stamford, CT) is a relatively new surgical modality. The risk of tumor seeding during tumor surgery has not been studied until now. Hanks balanced salt solution, normal saline, distilled water, and Dakin's solution were used as irrigation fluids during CUSA fragmentation of Lewis lung carcinoma in C57BI/10 female mice, using the machine at 40% of its maximal output. All four irrigation fluids contained viable tumor cells—growing in vitro as well as in vivo—after tumor aspiration. Normal saline was also used when the machine was operating at its maximal output. Under these conditions, the irrigation fluid contained viable tumor cells as well.