Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026
Creation of Abdominal Adhesions in Mice
Published on: August 27, 2016
Effects of carbon dioxide-saturated normal saline and Ringer's lactate on postsurgical adhesion formation in the
V Sahakian1, R G Rogers, J Halme
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Objective:
To evaluate the effect of combining carbon dioxide gas (CO2) with normal saline versus CO2 with lactated Ringer's solution on adhesion formation in the rabbit model.
Methods:
Sixty New Zealand white rabbits underwent surgery based on a proven experimental adhesion model. Following abdominal closure, the animals were randomly assigned to three groups: Group 1 underwent abdominal CO2 insufflation only; group 2 underwent abdominal irrigation with CO2-saturated normal saline; group 3 underwent abdominal irrigation with CO2-saturated lactated Ringer's solution. Three weeks later, the rabbits were sacrificed and the adhesions were scored in a blinded fashion based on the extent, type, and tenacity, with a maximum possible score of 11.
Results:
The mean (+/- standard deviation) adhesion scores were 7.75 +/- 2.82 in group 1, 7.85 +/- 2.58 in group 2, and 4.75 +/- 2.95 in group 3. There was no difference in severity of adhesions between groups 1 and 2. However, the mean adhesion score was significantly lower in group 3 (lactated Ringer's with CO2) than in either group 1 (CO2) or group 2 (normal saline with CO2) (P = .004 and P = .002, respectively).
Conclusion:
It appears that when CO2 is the insufflating gas, lactated Ringer's solution has a protective effect against adhesion formation in the rabbit model.
