BACKGROUND: We investigated the hypothesis that local tissue ischemia is responsible for suture-induced adhesion formation. METHODS: A total of 160 interrupted sutures were placed in the parietal peritoneum of 20 Wistar rats. The animals were randomized into an ischemia group, where the sutures were pulled tight and a non-ischemia group, where the sutures were tied as loose loops with air knots to avoid any local ischemia. The midline laparotomy was closed with a running suture. On postoperative day 10, adhesions to the sutures were counted. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the number of adhesions forming to sutures with local ischemia (n = 66/80) versus sutures without local ischemia (n = 69/80). CONCLUSION: We conclude that local tissue ischemia is not necessary for suture-induced adhesion formation and propose an additional mechanical mechanism to explain how suture knots can predispose to adhesiogenesis.
BACKGROUND: We investigated the hypothesis that local tissue ischemia is responsible for suture-induced adhesion formation. METHODS: A total of 160 interrupted sutures were placed in the parietal peritoneum of 20 Wistar rats. The animals were randomized into an ischemia group, where the sutures were pulled tight and a non-ischemia group, where the sutures were tied as loose loops with air knots to avoid any local ischemia. The midline laparotomy was closed with a running suture. On postoperative day 10, adhesions to the sutures were counted. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the number of adhesions forming to sutures with local ischemia (n = 66/80) versus sutures without local ischemia (n = 69/80). CONCLUSION: We conclude that local tissue ischemia is not necessary for suture-induced adhesion formation and propose an additional mechanical mechanism to explain how suture knots can predispose to adhesiogenesis.
Authors: Karen L Reed; A Brent Fruin; Kelly K Bishop-Bartolomei; Adam C Gower; Michael Nicolaou; Arthur F Stucchi; Susan E Leeman; James M Becker Journal: J Surg Res Date: 2002-11 Impact factor: 2.192