Objective      To compare the trypsin solution and normal saline washing methods of omental bursa in gastric carcinoma for metastasis diagnosis.       Methods      We selected 58 patients with gastric carcinoma in our hospital from January 2012 to October 2013. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups

group A (n=35) with omental bursa digestion and washing by 0.25% trypsin-EDTA solution and group B (n=23) with omental bursa washing

by normal saline. The expression of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)

cytokeratin 7 (CK7)

cytokeratin 20 (CK20) and heparanase (HPA) in the washing precipitation from the 58 patients was tested by immunohistochemical assay and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining.       Results      In group A

16 cases showed positive results in HE staining

with positive rate 45.71%

and 29 cases showed positive results in immunohistochemical assay

with  positive rate 82.86%. In group B

4 cases showed positive results in HE staining

with positive rate 17.39%

and 11 cases showed positive results in immunohistochemical assay

with positive rate 47.83%. The difference was statistically significant (

P

=0.005). In the correlation analysis of tumor markers by the trypsin solution washing method

CEA was positively correlated with HPA (r=0.488

P

0.01) as well as CK7 (r=0.389

P

0.05)

but not correlated with CK20 (r=0.299

P

0.05). There were significant correlation among positive expression of CK7

CK20 and HPA (

P

0.05).       Conclusion      Omental bursa digestion and washing by trypsin-EDTA solution improves the diagnosis of peritoneal subclinical metastasis of gastric cancer. As compared to a single tumor marker

combined detection of CEA

CK7

CK20 and HPA by immunohistochemical assay increases the diagnosis sensitivity of subclinical metastasis

providing a theoretical basis for individualized treatment and prognosis.