Cells are present in the smoke created during laparoscopic surgery.

BACKGROUND

The application of laparoscopy for malignancy has been halted in many centres because of a growing number of reports of metastases arising in port sites. The smoke created by coagulation during laparoscopic surgery appears to contain particles visible to the naked eye. This study tested the hypothesis that whole cells can be carried as an aerosol in the pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopy.

METHODS

Nine patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for benign and metastatic disease were studied. Throughout the procedure the gas of the pneumoperitoneum was allowed to escape through a filter. The filters and tubing were washed, and washing solution was centrifuged and stained immunohistochemically to identify the cells. Three of the filters were also examined with an electron microscope.

RESULTS

Six of the nine samples contained cells. Clumps of whole cells were identified as mesothelial in origin; the electron micrographs showed many other cells stuck to the filter, which appeared to be blood and mesothelial cells but were not analysed further.

CONCLUSION

The presence of whole identifiable cells carried in the pneumoperitoneum raises concerns for operating staff and could be a mechanism for tumour implantation. No malignant cells were found, but ethical considerations prevented intentional coagulation of malignant tissue.