Prevention of adhesions by high molecular weight dextran in rats. Re-evaluation in nine experiments.

The efficacy of 32% dextran 70 (Hyskon) in the prevention of postoperative peritoneal adhesions was evaluated in nine different experiments in a total of 320 rats under standardised conditions. Hyskon reduced adhesion formation, only in rats that were also subjected to abrasion of the caecum. In the remaining eight experiments Hyskon was ineffective. We conclude that more extensive experimental and clinical studies are desirable before this agent is recommended for prophylaxis against adhesions; any prophylactic regimen should be tested in a wide range of experiments. In addition, analysis of the control data suggested that the stimulus for inducing adhesions in some experiments was so strong that it could not be countered by any prophylactic regimen. A new microsurgical method that resulted in a 50 per cent response and an equal number of low grade and high grade adhesions was used. This method is well suited for investigation of both the stimulatory and the inhibitory effects of a test agent.