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

Eur J Surg. 2000 Aug;166(8):650-3. doi: 10.1080/110241500750008330.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen / surgery
  • Adenosine / therapeutic use
  • Allopurinol / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Glutathione / therapeutic use
  • Insulin / therapeutic use
  • Isotonic Solutions / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Organ Preservation Solutions / therapeutic use*
  • Peritoneal Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Postoperative Complications / prevention & control*
  • Raffinose / therapeutic use
  • Random Allocation
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Ringer's Lactate
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Tissue Adhesions / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Insulin
  • Isotonic Solutions
  • Organ Preservation Solutions
  • Ringer's Lactate
  • University of Wisconsin-lactobionate solution
  • Allopurinol
  • Glutathione
  • Adenosine
  • Raffinose