Prevention of peritoneal adhesions in rats with verapamil, hydrocortisone sodium succinate, and phosphatidylcholine.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness of verapamil, hydrocortisone sodium succinate, and phosphatidylcholine in the prevention of experimental adhesions.


METHODS
Randomized trial.


METHODS
80 rats.


METHODS
Laparotomy and intraperitoneal irrigation with saline 40 degrees C, then verapamil hydrochloride 1 mg/kg intravenously 15 min before, during, and after irrigation; or hydrocortisone sodium succinate 50 mg/kg intravenously half an hour before irrigation; or phosphatidylcholine 5.5 mg/kg orally eight days before and seven days after irrigation plus 0.5 mg/ml in the irrigation fluid; or no further intervention.


METHODS
Development of adhesions two weeks after irrigation, and completeness of wound healing.


RESULTS
Adhesions developed in 13 of 19 control animals; 7 of 20 that were given verapamil; 6 of 20 that were given hydrocortisone; and 3 of 20 given phosphatidylcholine.


CONCLUSIONS
Adhesions that developed in rats after laparotomy and intraperitoneal irrigation with saline at 40 degrees C can be significantly reduced by phosphatidylcholine.
Department of Surgery, University of Birmingham, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, UK.
A M
AM
Kappas
G H
GH
Barsoum
J B
JB
Ortiz
M R
MR
Keighley
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010533:Peritoneal Lavage; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000517:prevention & control; D014700:Verapamil / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D014700:Verapamil; C007133:hydrocortisone hemisuccinate; D006854:Hydrocortisone