Minimization of transport of cancer cells

Abstract

A surgical apparatus includes an instrument having an operative zone defined thereon for physical engagement with a patient's body tissue. The instrument has a foraminous outer shell disposed in the operative zone. The foraminous outer shell has a multitude of relatively uniformly dispersed, small perforations defined therein. The instrument has a fluid supply channel communicated with the perforations for diffusing a flushing fluid out of the perforations throughout the operative zone so that adhesion of tissue to the operative zone of the instrument is reduced. The flushing fluid preferably includes a cytotoxic solution and/or an anti-adhesive solution. Additionally, or alternatively, the outer surface of the instrument may be permanently coated with a cytotoxic material and/or an anti-adhesive material. This surgical instrument is preferably used in combination with surgical procedures which are designed to minimize the transport of viable cancerous cells to other locations within the patient's body. Such surgical procedures preferably are laparoscopic procedures. Preferably any resected tissue is bagged prior to removal from the surgical site. Preferably the surgical procedure includes intraperitoneal chemotherapy following removal of the resected tissue.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.