Accelerated healing of gastric ulcer after removal of the greater omentum in rats.

Standardized ulcers were produced in rats by local application of acetic acid to the serosal surface of the stomach. Ulcers induced at the lesser curvature, the greater curvature or the posterior wall were found to be of similar size after 2 and 4 weeks. In a group of animals the greater omentum was excised just before the application of acid. Omentectomized animals and control animals were examined 24 h, 1, 3 and 6 weeks after ulcer induction. In omentectomized animals, the ulcers were usually healed or very small after 3 and 6 weeks, while in the control animals most of the ulcers were still large. It is concluded that omentectomy leads to a marked acceleration in the healing of gastric ulcers in rats.