Mesothelial healing: morphological and kinetic investigations.

By using structural, kinetic and irradiation techniques it is possible to show that mesothelial healing is a local event. Initially, macrophages occupy the surface of a wound on the injured visceral layer, while mesothelial proliferation proceeds at the edge of the wound and the opposing parietal surface. Fibrin is formed on the wound surface within 24 h, even in the absence of much haemorrhage. Mesothelial ingrowth begins with isolated cells migrating from the wound edge as well as from the serosal surface apposing the wound where mesothelial cells are actively replicating. The cells presumably slide over a bridge of fibrin and macrophages, a process likely to be enhanced by the serosal fluid. Early colonization by macrophages results in the removal of debris and probably prevents the formation of adhesions during mesothelial restoration.