Intraperitoneal application of fibrinogen gluing in the rat for adhesions prophylaxis

The suitability of fibrinogen gluing for prophylaxis of intraperitoneal adhesions was investigated experimentally. Small bowel slings, traumatized previously, were covered by a layer of fibrinogen 2-3 mm thick to see whether formation of adhesions could be prevented. In the experiments 50 rats of both sexes were observed over 21 days. Following mechanical traumatization of the terminal ileum the visceral peritoneum was coated with fibrinogen, whereas animals of the control group did not receive fibrinogen coating. Macroscopic and microscopic findings after 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days yielded the following results: 1. Fibrinogen dissolution and resorption occurred for 3-14 days following operation. 2. On autopsy, all animals of the control group showed massive, extended adhesions; two of the controls died on the 6th postoperative day from peritonitis. 3. None of the treated animals exhibited extended adhesions. 4. Histological examinations revealed regeneration of the injured serosa and healing of the bowel wall below the fibrinogen coating. 5. Fibrinogen applied to intact peritoneal serosa (without injury) is entirely resorbed without formation of adhesions.