The effect of peritoneal lavage on peritoneal cellular defense mechanisms.

To assess the effect of peritoneal lavage on peritoneal cellular defense mechanisms, peritoneal fluid total cell counts, cell types, phagocytic activity and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) chemotaxis before and 4 hours after saline lavage was studied on 70 rats. Lavage with 10 ml saline decreased the peritoneal total cell counts of rats from 10.6 x 10(6) to 6.6 x 10(6) (p < 0.005). Among the peritoneal cells, the fraction of PMNL increased whereas the macrophages, lymphocytes and mast cells decreased (p < 0.005). The phagocytic activity of peritoneal phagocytic cells did not change significantly by peritoneal lavage. However, after lavage, PMNL instead of macrophages were the prominent phagocytic cells. Chemotactic index of peritoneal PMNL also did not change with saline lavage. It is concluded that although the phagocytic and chemotactic activity of peritoneal fluid cells are not affected by peritoneal lavage, cellular defense of the peritoneum may be compromised by altering the total cell counts and their composition.