Prevention of peritoneal adhesions in the rat. The effects of dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, promethazine, and human fibrinolysin.

Peritoneal adhesions were created in rats by brisk scrubbing of the terminal part of the ileum. Adhesions were graded by total number and the presence of small bowel obstruction. Adhesion prophylaxis was evaluated using dexamethasone, methylprednisolone sodium succinate, promethazine hydrochloride, and human fibrinolysin (Thrombolysin) in various combinations, doses, and routes of administration. Methylprednisolone and dexamethasone, depending on the route of administration, modified the total number of adhesions but did not modify their severity when compared to control animals. Promethazine by itself modified peritoneal adhesions in the rat. Used together, methylprednisolone and promethazine also modified adhesions, but were not substantially better than the combination of dexamethasone and promethazine. Methylprednisolone, promethazine, and human fibrinolyzin, when used in combination intraperitoneally, virtually eliminated adhesion formation.