Assessement of peritoneal adhesions due to starch granules of surgical glove powder an experimental study.

Introduction of foreign material into abdominal cavity during surgery causes irritation of peritoneum leading to postoperative (PO) adhesions. To assess and prevent PO adhesions, an experimental study was done to assess the caused by starch granules of the surgical glove powder and to avoid complications using the effect of normal saline and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). Thirty Wister Albino male rats were subjected to laparotomy and ileocaecal abrasions were done mechanically to induce postoperative peritoneal adhesions. Rats were divided into 3 groups, 10 animals each. The sterile starch powdered gloves were used in the laparotomy procedure. The basic procedure performed in the three groups was serosal abrasions at the ileocaecal region and using the 2-layer technique in the closure of the abdominal cavity. In GI no further management was performed than the basic procedure. In GII & GIII before closure normal saline and (LMWH) was spilled into the peritoneal cavity respectively. The results showed that in GI, there were severe firm intraperitoneal adhesions especially at the site of the ileocaecal abrasions. This was proved macroscopically and histologically. The reactions detected in biopsies of GII & GIII were lesser in intensity compared to GI. Morphometric assessment of collagen deposition in the intra-peritoneal adhesions revealed a significant decrease in GII & GIII compared to GI.