Inhibition of ovarian cancer growth and implantation by paclitaxel after laparoscopic surgery in a mouse model

Objective: We used an established experimental model to evaluate the influence of intraperitoneal chemotherapy on the generation of laparoscopy-associated metastases and the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Study design: Twenty-four nude mice underwent laparoscopy with carbon dioxide insufflation and the instillation of a tumor cell suspension with or without paclitaxel into the peritoneal cavity. Mice were allocated to 1 of the following groups (8 mice to each group): (1) controls; (2) paclitaxel given during the operation; (3) paclitaxel-given after the operation. Mice were killed 30 days after the procedure, and the peritoneal cavity and port sites were examined for the presence of tumors. Results: Tumor implantation and port-site metastases were reduced more by the intraoperative intraperitoneal administration of paclitaxel during the operation than by administration after the operation. Conclusion: Intraoperative intraperitoneal administration of paclitaxel may decrease significantly the occurrence of port-site metastasis and intraperitoneal dissemination in an animal study.