Adhesion formation and prevention after peritoneal injury and repair in the rabbit.

Fifteen rabbits were used to assess peritoneal healing and adhesion formation after suturing and stapling peritoneal edges or excising, cauterizing and abrading areas of peritoneum. Two weeks after peritoneal injury, the amount of adhesions formation was noted. Resection of peritoneal tissue with natural rehealing was preferable to reapproximation of free peritoneal edges with either staples or sutures.