[Animal experiments on the prevention of peritoneal adhesions (author's transl)]

Several possibilities for the prevention of adhesions were checked in animal experiments. In rats adhesions were produced by a standardized operative procedure. For the prevention of adhesions an artificial ascites with normal saline solution or Dextran was tried. To maintain ascites an intraperitoneal catheter was left in place for the first three post-operative days and refilled. The proteolytic effect of Chymotrypsin, the proteinase inhibitor Trasylol and of Glucocorticoids was investigated. All three drugs showed a definite therapeutic effect. In 45-50% of the rats adhesions were prevented. A combination of Trasylol, Glucocorticoids and Dextran prevented adhesions in 65% of the animals. When the ascites was maintained for four days 80% of the animals remained free of adhesions.