An ultrastructural study of enteric serosa after surgical management.

The surface topography of rabbit enteric serosa was studied with a scanning electron microscope before and after surgical manipulation and after pretreatment with polyvinylpyrrolidone, an experimental antiadhesion agent. Results indicated that the serosal surface is characterized by an intertwined three-dimensional lattice of collagen like material which was remarkably altered by simple handling. Pretreatment with polyvinylpyrrolidone reduced this alteration, but polyvinylpyrrolidone itself has an adverse effect upon serosal topography. This study has provided novel insight into the fine structure of the intestinal serosa and has demonstrated alterations in this structure after simple operative handling. It has been shown that polyvinylpyrrolidone, although offering some protection, altered the fine latticework that covers the serosal surface. In addition, this study has demonstrated the usefulness of the scanning electron microscope in defining serosal damage and evaluating new therapeutic antiadhesion agents.