34th Annual Scientific Meeting proceedings

Objectives:

The current working theory in oncological surgery is that supplies and instruments in close contact with malignant cells might seed them into normal healthy tissue, potentially causing iatrogenic malignant neoplasms. However, formal guidance for veterinary surgeons is lacking due to the absence of research into this subject. This study investigated the adherence of malignant cells to surgical gloves and instruments in canine oncological resection surgeries.

Methods:

Washings with ThinPrep® from the primary surgeon’s gloves and two instruments were centrifuged at 2,000 rpm for 10 minutes, and the supernatant was discarded. The precipitate was applied onto ThinPrep® slides and underwent modified Giemsa staining. The slides were examined by an expert cytopathologist blinded to the history, procedure type, and the patient’s details. The presence and number of atypical or malignant cells were documented.

Results:

Microscopic examination of samples from 50 oncological surgeries identified malignant cells in 28% of them.

Conclusions:

Malignant cells adhere to gloves and instruments during oncological surgeries, which can act as vectors for local recurrence. Further research into the viability of these cells would be welcomed.