BACKGROUND: Well instituted and planned surgical procedures are still the only effective therapy for gastric cancer. However, results of cure have not significantly improved in the last decades, especially in the western world. The main benefit of the introduction of dyes and colouring in gastric submucosa through endoscopy, is to facilitate moderate lymphadectomy, making it easier to accurately locate lymph nodes. Besides this, lymphadenochromatography makes future research possible in detecting sentinel lymph nodes and its rational and selective applicability in precise lymphadectomy indication, especially in groups submitted to more complicated lymph node ressection which have increased possibility of complications. Carbon actived (CH40) lymphadenochromatography was analysed in this experimental study (phase 1). AIM: To test the effectiveness and innocuity of lymphadenochromatography with CH40, in three different animal species. METHODS: As established by the Brazilian Association of Clinical Research (Resolutions nº 196/96 e 251/97, CNS/MS), three different animal species were used: three dogs, 10 rabbits and 20 rats. In all of the dogs, the introduction of CH40 in the submucosa layer of the stomach was performed using gastric endoscopy, as well as needle polyethylene catheters, usually employed in sclerosis of esophageal varicosis. The observation period varied between 43 to 125 days, when surgical procedures were performed. In all rabbits and rats, the introduction of CH40 was made through hypodermic needle and insulinic syringe in the subcutaneous inguinal region. The observation period was between 102 through 105 days and 110 to 122 days, respectively. RESULTS: During the observation periods, from injection to euthanasia, no side effects or death was detected in any animal. In the dogs, perigastric lymph nodes were dyed using CH40. In all rabbits and rats, the subcutaneous cellular tissue of the inguinal region was dyed black strongly. Also, in all rats, lymph nodes of the abdominal aortic region were colored using CH40. CONCLUSIONS: Lymphadenochromatography with CH40 did not demonstrate toxicity in the three animal species studied. Actived carbon was effective in the coloring of lymph nodes in this study.
Carbon; Stomach neoplasms; Chromatography; Lymph nodes
