Permeability alterations after surgical trauma in normal rabbit peritoneum.

Background: To investigate whether surgical trauma in a rabbit adhesion formation model and the administration of normal saline (N/S), icodextrin (ID) and/or dimetindene maleate (DM) changes the permeability of the normal rabbit parietal peritoneum.

Materials And Methods: A total of 45 female rabbits were operated on for adhesion formation and were euthanized 10 days later. In some rabbits, ID or N/S was instilled intraabdominally during operation, whereas in others DM was infused intravenously. In others, ID plus DM or no agent was used. Specimens were obtained postoperatively and were mounted between Ussing chambers. Amiloride was used to investigate Na(+) channels. Transmesothelial resistance (R(TM)) was determined as a permeability indicator.

Results: Amiloride increased the R(TM) of both surfaces. Surgical trauma increased R(TM) and partially inhibited the effect of amiloride. ID and N/S increased R(TM) and inhibited the effect of amiloride. Use of DM did not change R(TM) and did not inhibit the effect of amiloride. Use of ID plus DM slightly increased R(TM), but the effect of amiloride was blocked.

Conclusions: Surgical trauma impairs the permeability of the normal rabbit parietal peritoneum. ID or N/S surmounted this effect, but DM did not, suggesting that surgical trauma is a diffuse process. Antiadhesion measures influence peritoneal physiology.