Experimental studies on intra-abdominal adhesions

Various intra-abdominal adhesions have been produced in rats and mice.

Those animals given an intra-peritoneal injection of protoporphyrin showed a reduction of adhesion formation.

Its mechanism has been discussed in view of Ellis's concept.

It seems to be appropriate to use PPN for patients who may develop post-operative adhesions.

The effect of protein deficiency upon peritoneal healing and peritoneal wound contraction in the rat

1. Adult rats were maintained on a protein-deficient diet for 6 weeks following which laparotomy was performed and peritoneal wounds of standard size were constructed,

2. The diet resulted in a progressive weight loss and a fall in plasma protein. Tissue protein, expressed as percentage protein in dried voluntary muscle, did not fall significantly.

3. Following laparotomy the rats were killed in groups on successive days and the peritoneal wounds were removed for measurement of area and for histological examination.

4. There was no apparent difference between control and protein-deficient animals in the rate or extent of peritoneal wound contraction although there was histological evidence of delay of collagen formation in the protein-deficient animals. This supports the theory that collagen formation is not a function of wound contraction.

A comparison of peritoneal healing in male and female rats

Standard peritoneal defects were made in 40 male and 40 female rats. Four animals were killed immediately, then daily for 7 days and on the 10th and 14th days. No difference in the rate of healing was detected between the sexes and no histological differences were detected.