[Unspecific tissue reactions caused by glove powder].

Macro- and histopathological examinations were performed on 200 Wistar rats of both sexes which had been intraperitoneally treated with either Brauns resorbable surgical glove powder or Bio-sorb surgical glove powder; control animals were injected with talcum powder. Talcum resulted in the well known foreign body granuloma along with adhesions. The amylaceous powders induced an initial inflammatory reaction with a subsequent non-reactive interval and thereafter solitary foreign body granulomas were formed. After terminating the experiment (12 weeks), no adhesions could be detected in animals treated with starch containing powder. A resorption of the powder was assumed in that the number of powder crystals was greatly reduced by the end of the experiment. The granulomas which developed after the 12th week were regarded as resorption granulomas. The development of adhesions was minimal with both types of amylaceous powder.