Comparison between plain and gentamicin containing collagen sponges in infected peritoneal cavity in rats.

OBJECTIVE

To study the usefulness of gentamicin-containing sponges in the infected peritoneal cavity in rats.

DESIGN

Controlled study.

MATERIAL

83 Male Wistar rats, 36 of which were treated by plain sponge, 36 by gentamicin-impregnated sponge, and 11 acted as controls.

INTERVENTIONS

A standard model of intraperitoneal infection was developed by making a 1 cm long incision in the caecum.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Postoperative mortality, macroscopic and microscopic features of infection, and bacterial concentrations in the abdomen on days 3, 6, and 9.

RESULTS

In the respective groups 2, 3 and 2 animals died during operation and 4/34 (11%), 3/33 (9%); and 0/9 died before day 3. There were appreciable reductions in the number of animals with features of infection after 3 days but these were not significant at 6 or 9 days.

CONCLUSION

Gentamicin-containing collagen sponges placed on a septic focus in the abdomen reduce local infection for at least 3 days.