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 containi ng hyaluronic acid (HA, Sepracoat) might affect the adhesion of tumour cell s. 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 adhesi on of CC-531 colonic carcinoma cells was assessed with and without Sepracoa t. Uterine horn experiment: after laparotomy Sepracoat 3ml (n = 5) or phosp hate buffered saline (PBS) (n = 4) were instilled in rats; the right uterin e horn was abraided with gauze, and the left was left untouched; CC-531 cel ls 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, an d the wound was closed; the tumour load was scored after 3 weeks. Results: Sepracoat had a small but significant inhibitory effect on the adh esion of CC-531 cells in vitro. However, we were unable to repeat this effe ct in either rat experiment. Conclusion: Sepracoat may inhibit adhesion of tumour cells to the mesotheli um but it had no appreciable effect on intraabdominal tumour growth in this dose in either experiment in rats.