Effects of blood, bile and starch in the peritoneal cavity of the rat.

The reaction of rat peritoneum to the intraperitoneal injection of rat blood, human bile, starch glove powder, and a suspension of starch in blood or bile was examined by histological section and en face microscopy of the peritoneal surface (Häutchen technique). Haemoperitoneum causes little destruction of the peritoneum, but bile produces some peritonitis with a purulent exudate and destruction of subperitoneal muscle. Starch granulomas form following intraperitoneal injection of glove powder, though 0.1 g is insufficient to produce adhesions. The addition of starch to blood or bile enhances the peritonitis and delays healing. These results indicate that bile and starch should not be left in the peritoneal cavity at the end of surgical procedure.