Formation and prevention of peritoneal adhesion - an experimental study on a rat model

ABSTRACT

Post operative peritoneal adhesions are always a threat and can cause adhesive obstruction and sterility in women due to tubal block. To study this problem, an experiment was conducted on 140 Swiss albino rats. Adhesions were produced in the animals by stripping the serosa of the caecum over an area of 2cm, a technique which resulted in about an 80% incidence of adhesions. Various substances like dextran, normal saline, honey, ghee, vitarnine E etc. were instilled into the peritoneal cavity. One group of 10 animals were fed on a diet containing a high dose of vitamin E. The animals' abdomens were opened on the 14th day and the adhesions were studied. Glove powder was instilled into the peritoneal cavity in one group of animals. For each group a control study was also done. Glove powder instillation invariably produced adhesions. Dextran and normal saline failed to prevent adhesions. Serosal application of Vitamin E produced granulomatous adhesions. Application of honey and ghee produced flimsy insubstantial adhesions. A high dose of oral Vitamin E also produced insubstantial adhesions. In the control group where the serosa was stripped and no substance was used, substantial adhesions were formed in a majority of the animals. From this experimental study, it was found that, vitamin E given orally in a high dose and serosal application of honey ghee mixture may be useful in minimising post operative peritoneal adhesions