Use of a high-molecular-weight carboxymethylcellulose in a tissue protective solution for prevention of postoperative abdominal adhesions in ponies.

This research study evaluates the use of high-molecular-weight carboxymethylcellulose (HMW CMC) to prevent postoperative abdominal adhesions in ponies. The findings suggest that using a 1% HMW CMC solution during surgery could effectively reduce the occurrence of adhesions without causing adverse effects on wound healing or the overall health of the pony.

Study Method

• The experiment uses a split division of ten ponies into two equal groups. Half of the ponies were treated with a 1% solution of HMW CMC prior to surgery, while the other half acted as a control group without any application of the compound.
• The surgical method used throughout the experiment was designed to intentionally create postoperative adhesion conditions. This involved open abdominal surgery (laparotomy), opening and emptying of a part of the digestive tract (typhlotomy), and the abrasion of specific intestine (jejunal) surfaces, with multiple strategic suture placements.
• Post-surgery, the ponies were closely monitored over a 10-day period. The researchers performed various analyses including blood tests, serum biochemical assessments and peritoneal fluid analysis at specific times during this period.
• After euthanization on day 10, intra-abdominal adhesions were cataloged, and tissue samples collected for detailed histology.

Results of the Study

• From the investigation, the control group (without HMW CMC) displayed considerably more incidents of adhesion. This included higher numbers of single and multiple adhesions, as well as overall incidence frequency.
• A higher count of white blood cells (WBC) in the peritoneal fluid was found in the control group on day 7, pointing to a more prevalent inflammatory response compared to their counterparts.
• The serum fibrinogen concentration on the fifth and seventh day, a measure of the degree of systemic inflammation in the body, was also significantly higher in the control group.
• All serum biochemical measures were found to be similar between the two groups, indicating that the introduction of HMW CMC had no significant adverse impact on the general metabolic functioning of the pony.

Study Conclusions

• The use of a 1% HMW CMC solution intra-abdominally during surgery successfully prevented the formation of postoperative adhesions.
• The application did not have any harmful effects on wound healing, intra-abdominal defenses, or general health of the ponies.
• In conclusion, a 1% solution of HMW CMC could potentially be used as a routine treatment during horse surgery to prevent postoperative adhesions.