EFFECTS OF CARBON DIOXIDE-SATURATED NORMAL SALINE AND RINGERS LACTATEON POSTSURGICAL ADHESION FORMATION IN THE RABBIT

Objective. To evaluate the effect of combining carbon dioxide ps (CO2) with normal saline versus CO2 with lactated Ringer's solution on adhe sion formation in the rabbit model. Methods: Sixty New Zealand white r abbits underwent surgery based on a proven experimental adhesion model . Following abdominal closure, the animals were randomly assigned to t hree groups: Group 1 underwent abdominal CO2 insufflation only, group 2 underwent abdominal irrigation with CO2-saturated normal saline; gro up 3 underwent abdominal irrigation with CO2-saturated lactated Ringer 's solution. Three weeks later, the rabbits were sacrificed and the ad hesions were scored in a blinded fashion based on the extent, type, an d 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 di fference in severity of adhesions between groups 1 and 2. However, the mean adhesion score was significantly lower in group 3 (lactated Ring er's with CO2) than in either group 1 (CO2) or group 2 (normal saline with CO2) (P = .004 and P = .002, respectively). Conclusion: It appear s that when CO2 is the insufflating ps, lactated Ringer's solution has a protective effect against adhesion formation in the rabbit model.