Wound healing is not impaired in rats undergoing perioperative treatment with the antineoplastic agent taurolidine.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this study was to determine whether an intravenous or an intraperitoneal application of the antineoplastic agent taurolidine (TRD) impairs wound healing in the absence of tumor load in rats.

METHODS

Eighty rats were randomized into eight groups (n = 10). Median laparotomy was performed in all animals. Three groups were treated by intravenous injection and three groups by local administration using a central port catheter system. For each group, 1 ml was applied: isotone sodium chloride solution (control groups), 1% TRD, 2% TRD, and 3% TRD. Fascia and skin were closed using a standardized running suture technique with 4-0 Vicryl. Wounds were evaluated once a day. Animals were treated every 8 h for 7 days (ports were then removed) and wounds were evaluated at day 28. Macroscopic and histopathologic examinations of scar tissue biopsies (hemalaun-eosin stain) were performed at the end of the experiment.

RESULTS

No animal died. No relevant impairment of wound healing was observed independent of the different treatment strategies.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that wound healing does not seem to be impaired by TRD in rats.