Cytokine orchestration in post-operative peritoneal adhesion formation.
Peritoneal adhesions are a near inevitable occurrence after laparotomy and a major cause of both patient and physician misery. To date, clinical attempts at their amelioration have concentrated on manipulating the physical factors that affect their development despite a wealth of experimental data elucidating the molecular mechanisms that underlie their initiation, development and maturation. However, the advent of targeted, specific anti-cytokine agents as directed therapy for inflammatory and neoplastic conditions raises the prospect of a new era for anti-adhesion strategies. To harness this potential will require considerable cross-disciplinary collaboration and that surgeon-scientists propel themselves to the forefront of this emerging field.
Cahill
Ronan A
RA
Department of General Surgery, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland. rcahill@rcsi.ie
Redmond
H Paul
HP