Abstract
Intra-abdominal adhesions form when the serosa of two adjacent peritoneal surfaces are denuded and remain in contact for a sufficient time for an exudate to become organized and adherent to the two surfaces. Distention of bowel with pressure exerted continuously between two adjacent intra-abdominal visceral surfaces is an active means toward such a union. The organic base lanolin was chosen as a means of separating the opposing serosal surfaces and as a preventative of adhesive formations because of its marked adhesive and nonirritating properties. Boric acid was used because it is not irritating and has a certain low antiseptic value. Two hundred ninety patients, in whom adhesive formations were found to be the principal pathological change present in the abdomen, were treated; of these, it was possible in 181 cases to obtain reports (follow-up records) of from one to twenty years after operation. One hundred thirtysix of the 181 patients were entirely free of the symptoms for which they had been operated, thirty-seven were improved and three were not improved. The five deaths which had occurred in the 290 patients operated were not in any way contingent upon the use of the lanolin paste. We are well satisfied that an ointment of lanolin (95 per cent) and boric acid (5 per cent) has proved of value in preventing intra-abdominal adhesions.
Highlights
It: is a definite organisation of connective and scar tissue lying between and joining r''P the surfaces of two or more adjacent viscera
The dual purpose of this note is to explain to the health worker some not well appreciated facts in connection with abdominal operations, and to remind the less specialised surgeon of some of the more elusive points of his art
The first arises with the fact that in almost all pathological processes involving intraabdominal structures and attended by inflammatory ^actions, immediate 01* subsequent adhesions between neighbouring layers of peritoneum may be expected to occur
Summary
It: is a definite organisation of connective and scar tissue lying between and joining r''P the surfaces of two or more adjacent viscera. The second is that their formation is liable to develop after, and complicate, the result of almost any intra-abdominal operation, and their prevention is of no little interest the patients concerned.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
