Abstract
In an experimental study, the serosa of the ileum of rats was injured with silver nitrate, and the effect of topical application of a dexamethasone solution on subsequent formation of intraperitoneal adhesions was compared to the effect of saline irrigation (controls). There was a highly significant difference (p<0.01) in the incidence and grade of adhesions observed 1 and 4 weeks postoperatively between the control and dexamethasone-treated rats. Furthermore, adhesive intestinal strictures were observed in the control rats, but not in the animals that received dexamethasone. Administration of dexamethasone at the time of laparotomy and again 1 week postoperatively was most effective in preventing adhesions.
In a clinical trial, topical application of dexamethasone at the time of laparotomy for recurrent adhesive intestinal obstruction in 34 patients was associated with a 9% incidence of further recurrence of adhesive obstruction over a 1–6 year follow-up period, compared to a 31% incidence of recurrent obstruction in 13 similar patients who received only saline irrigation. Intraperitoneal administration of dexamethasone at the time of laparotomy and for the first 2 days postoperatively in 5 patients was followed by no recurrence of obstruction.
Résumé
La formation d'adhérences intrapéritonéales a été étudiée dans deux groupes de rats dont la séreuse iléale avait été lésée par du nitrate d'argent. L'application locale d'une solution de dexaméthasone a été comparée à un groupe témoin traité par simple irrigation au sérum physiologique. La fréquence et la gravité des adhérences sont, une et quatre semaines aprés l'opération, nettement moindres (p<0.01) chez les rats traités à la dexaméthasone que chez les témoins. On observe de plus, chez les témoins, des sténoses intestinales par adhérences, qui sont totalement absentes chez les rats traités à la dexaméthasone. Pour prévenir l'apparition des adhérences, les temps les plus efficaces pour l'administration de la dexaméthasone sont en cours de laparotomie avec réinjection une semaine plus tard.
L'application locale de dexaméthasone a été essayée en clinique, au cours de laparotomies pour obstruction récidivante par adhérences chez 34 malades: 9 % ont présenté de nouvelles récidives au cours des 1–6 années suivantes. Chez 13 malades traités uniquement par irrigation au sérum physiologique, la fréquence des récidives a été de 30 %. Chez 5 malades, la dexaméthasone a été administrée par voie intrapériton éale pendant la laparotomie et aux ler et 2ème jours postopératoires: aucun n'a présenté de récidive.
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Shikata, Ji., Yamaoka, I. The role of topically applied dexamethasone in preventing peritoneal adhesions: Experimental and clinical studies. World J. Surg. 1, 389–393 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01556870
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01556870