This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

The intestinal flora influences adhesion formation around surgical anastomoses. BJS 2001; 88: 143-145.

Published: 6th December 2002

Authors: C. Bothin, M. Okada, T. Midtvedt, L. Perbeck

Background

Postsurgical adhesion formation is still a cause of postoperative morbidity because no satisfactory treatment or prophylaxis has yet been developed. The present study was designed to investigate the influence of the gastrointestinal flora on adhesion formation around surgical anastomoses.

Method

Anastomoses were constructed in germfree, conventional, ex‐germfree and mono‐contaminated rats (Escherichia coli X7 and Lactobacillus acidophilus La5), and adhesion formation was recorded.

Results

The germfree group had a significantly lower adhesion score than all other groups (P < 0·05) apart from the lactobacillus group, which had a significantly lower score than the conventional group (P < 0·05).

Conclusion

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