EXPLANT TEST OF SKIN AND PERITONEUM OF THE NEONATAL RAT AS PREDICTIVETEST FOR THE COMPATIBILITY OF LOCAL ANTIINFECTIVES IN WOUNDS AND BODYCAVITIES

In vitro culture of peritoneal explants of neonatal rats after previou s application of agents simulating wound antisepsis is a sensitive scr eening method for the determination of the tissue compatibility of loc al wound antiinfectives. Two test models are differentiated: (1) separ ated peritoneal explants as a model for chronic or deep wounds and (2) peritoneum in situ in the experimental animal with subsequent extract ion and cultivation of the explants. Considering the present state of knowledge the following conclusions can be drawn regarding antisepsis of wounds: Lavasept (0.1%) may be classified as the agent of choice fo r deep and chronic wounds, for drip-suck irrigation and for antiinfect ive lavage of body cavities inclusively for peritoneal lavage (0,05%). Taurolidin is antiseptically effective in long term application ( > 6 h), and because of its antitoxic effect as well as lack of cytotoxici ty it is especially suitable for peritoneal lavage. Betaisodona soluti on is very well suited for superficial contaminated wounds and can be used in a dilution of 1 : 10 for short-term rinsing of deep wounds, in cluding body cavities but not for peritoneal lavage. Ethanol causes no inhibition of explant growth and therefore retains its importance in wound antisepsis.