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Updated: Aug 4, 2026

Colon Ascendens Stent Peritonitis (CASP) - a Standardized Model for Polymicrobial Abdominal Sepsis
Published on: December 18, 2010
Comparison between plain and gentamicin containing collagen sponges in infected peritoneal cavity in rats
W Vaneerdeweg1, T Bresseleers, P Du Jardin
1Department of Surgery, University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium.
Objective:
To study the usefulness of gentamicin-containing sponges in the infected peritoneal cavity in rats.
Design:
Controlled study.
Material:
83 Male Wistar rats, 36 of which were treated by plain sponge, 36 by gentamicin-impregnated sponge, and 11 acted as controls.
Interventions:
A standard model of intraperitoneal infection was developed by making a 1 cm long incision in the caecum.
Main Outcome Measures:
Postoperative mortality, macroscopic and microscopic features of infection, and bacterial concentrations in the abdomen on days 3, 6, and 9.
Results:
In the respective groups 2, 3 and 2 animals died during operation and 4/34 (11%), 3/33 (9%); and 0/9 died before day 3. There were appreciable reductions in the number of animals with features of infection after 3 days but these were not significant at 6 or 9 days.
Conclusion:
Gentamicin-containing collagen sponges placed on a septic focus in the abdomen reduce local infection for at least 3 days.
Insights
Gentamicin-containing sponges effectively reduced local abdominal infection in rats for up to three days. This study highlights their potential in managing peritoneal infections.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Research
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Peritoneal infections pose significant clinical challenges.
- Local antibiotic delivery systems are being explored to combat infection.
- Gentamicin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used against Gram-negative bacteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of gentamicin-impregnated sponges in treating infected peritoneal cavities.
- To assess the impact of these sponges on infection markers in a rat model.
Main Methods:
- A controlled study involving 83 male Wistar rats.
- Intraperitoneal infection was induced via cecal incision.
- Rats were treated with plain sponges, gentamicin-impregnated sponges, or served as controls.
Main Results:
- Mortality rates during operation and before day 3 were low across groups.
- A reduction in infection features was observed at day 3 in the gentamicin group.
- This reduction in infection markers was not statistically significant at days 6 or 9.
Conclusions:
- Gentamicin-containing collagen sponges demonstrated a capacity to reduce local peritoneal infection for at least three days.
- Further research may be needed to optimize duration and efficacy for sustained infection control.

