Effects of surgical gloves on postoperative peritoneal adhesions and cytokine expression in a rat model.
BACKGROUND
Postoperative intraperitoneal adhesions are a major cause of morbidity. We studied the effects of synthetic and latex gloves, and their powders, on postoperative adhesions and cytokine expression in a rat model.


METHODS
Rats underwent laparotomy and cecal abrasion. Rats were grouped based on the glove type used: synthetic powder-free (SPF), synthetic powdered (SP), latex powder-free (LPF), and latex powdered (LP). Serum cytokine (tumor necrosis factor [TNF], interleukin-1 [IL-1], and IL-6) levels were measured. Animals were killed and peritoneal adhesions were graded.


RESULTS
The SPF group had no adhesions. Adhesions were increased similarly in the SP and LPF groups, and further increased in the LP group. Postoperative serum cytokine levels showed a similar pattern of increases.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of latex or powder on surgical gloves promoted increased adhesions. Serum cytokine levels correlated with the degree of adhesion formation. Strategies to use latex-free, powder-free gloves and/or limit cytokine expression may decrease peritoneal adhesions in the clinical setting.
Dwivedi
Amit J
AJ
Department of Surgery, North Oakland Medical Centers, Department of Surgical Education, 461 W. Huron, Pontiac, MI 48341, USA. amitdwivedi@hotmail.com
Kuwajerwala
Nafisa K
NK
Silva
Yvan J
YJ
Tennenberg
Steven D
SD
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005932:Gloves, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000032:analysis; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011336:Probability; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology
D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators