Effect of thirty-two per cent dextran 70 on peritoneal adhesion formation

Twenty-one female rabbits underwent laparotomy and a standardized injury was produced on the right uterine horn and Fallopian tube. Following the injury eight animals were used as controls and thirteen were injected intrapertoneally with 50 ml. of 32 per cent dextran 70. Six weeks later the animals were killed and the adhesions graded. All control animals had dense adhersions of the injured areas to bowel or peritoneum. The dextran animals showed marked reduction in the extent and degree of adhesions. Possible mechanisms for these findings are discussed and the problems raised, by adhesion formation, to the gynecologist are reviewed.