A Translational Surgical Porcine Model for Postoperative Intra-Abdominal Adhesion Formation.

Area of Science:

• Surgical Innovation
• Animal Models
• Fibrosis Research

Background:

• Postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions are a common complication following abdominal surgery.
• Adhesions can lead to significant morbidity, including bowel obstruction and infertility.
• Existing models may not fully recapitulate the complexity of human adhesion formation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a reproducible porcine model for inducing and evaluating postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions.
• To provide a large animal model for studying adhesion biology and testing therapeutics.

Main Methods:

• Yucatan mini pigs underwent midline laparotomy, small bowel resection with anastomosis, and peritoneal abrasion.
• Adhesion formation was assessed macroscopically and histologically four weeks postoperatively by blinded observers.
• The model integrates a clinically relevant surgical procedure with defined peritoneal injury.

Main Results:

• All animals developed multifocal intra-abdominal adhesions involving various abdominal structures.
• Histological analysis revealed adhesions composed of extracellular matrix, fibroblasts, and blood vessels.
• The adhesions exhibited characteristics of remodeling-phase wound healing.

Conclusions:

• The established porcine model reliably induces postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions.
• This model is suitable for investigating abdominal adhesion fibrosis and evaluating anti-adhesion treatments.
• The protocol offers a standardized approach for adhesion induction and assessment in a large animal setting.