Effect of intraperitoneal 32% dextran 70 on blood coagulation and serum electrolytes.

The most promising intraperitoneal agent for preventing adhesion formation is 32% dextran 70. To investigate its effect on blood coagulation and serum electrolytes, 22 women who required surgery for infertility were studied. No significant difference was seen in prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, platelet count or red-blood-cell indices between the dextran group (n = 12) and the control group (n = 10) on day 0 (before surgery) and postoperative days 1 and 3. In both groups the decrease in hematocrit and a proportionate decrease in serum albumin 24 hours after the operation suggested hemodilution. There was no further decrease in hematocrit on postoperative day 3. The dextran had no effect on serum electrolytes. These results suggest that intraperitoneal 32% dextran 70 does not impair blood coagulation and is not associated with an electrolyte inbalance.