Inability of University of Wisconsin solution to reduce postoperative peritoneal adhesions in rats.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effect of University of Wisconsin solution (UWS) on the formation of postoperative peritoneal adhesions.

DESIGN

Laboratory experiment.

SETTING

University hospital, Italy.

ANIMALS: 42 Sprague-Dawley rats.

INTERVENTIONS: A standard lesion was made consisting of serosal trauma of the caecum and a parietal peritoneal defect. Rats were randomly divided into seven groups (n = 6 each): the first group acted as controls; the second had instilled normal saline 6 ml; the third Ringer's lactate 6 ml; the fourth UWS 6 ml; the fifth normal saline 12 ml; the sixth Ringer's lactate 12 ml; and the seventh UWS 12 ml.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Adhesions were scored two weeks later for extent (0 to 4) and type (0 to 4). Adhesion strength was measured by a tensiometer.

RESULTS

The mean (SEM) scores for extent and type of adhesions were significantly lower (p < 0.05) after instillation of Ringer's lactate 12 ml [1.0 (0.4) and 1.2 (0.4), respectively] than controls [3.5 (0.3) and 2.7 (0.2), respectively]. Adhesions were also significantly weaken (p < 0.05) [101 (33) g] than in controls [207 (6) g].

CONCLUSIONS

Intraperitoneal instillation of normal saline and UWS were ineffective in reducing the extent and type of adhesions. Although Ringer's lactate produced a significant reduction in severity, the effect was strongly volume related. This amount of fluid may be detrimental to a patient's postoperative course.