New adhesion formation after laparoscopic and conventional adhesiolysis - A comparative study in the rabbit

This study aimed to compare new adhesion formation after laparoscopic and c onventional adhesiolysis. In a first operation, 24 rabbits underwent fixati on of deserosated cecum (6 cm(2)) to the lateral abdominal wall to induce s tandardized adhesions. After 4 weeks, adhesiolysis was performed by laparos copy (n = 12) or laparotomy (n = 12). Outcome was assessed by the incidence , extent, and location of adhesion reformation. After conventional adhesiol ysis, new adhesions developed in all the rabbits, as compared with 75% afte r laparoscopic adhesiolysis. The extent of newly formed adhesions was signi ficantly reduced (p < 0.001) after laparoscopic adhesiolysis (368 +/- 115 m m(2)) as compared with conventional adhesiolysis (2434 +/- 245 mm(2)). Ther e were no adhesions to trocar wounds, but adhesions to the abdominal incisi on were found in 33% of the conventional group. In a rabbit model comparing laparoscopic and conventional adhesiolysis in a standardized experimental setting, laparoscopic adhesiolysis is associated with a significantly reduc ed formation of new postoperative adhesions.