Effect of peritoneal lavage with chlorhexidine gluconate solution on survival and adhesion formation

Purpose: In this experimental study; effects of chlorhexidine glucunate solution on peritoneal adhesion formation and perioperative mortality were investigated. Peritoneal Hydatidosis (PH) still remains the most important complication of hydatid cyst surgery. Peritoneal lavage with scolocidal agents and chemotherapy are suggested as a therapeutic approach in the peritoneal dissemination. Materials and Methods: Eighty male rats were divided into four equal groups. Group 1: 0.9% NaCl (Control), Group 2: 20% NaCl, Group 3: 0.4% Chlorhexidine Glucunate (Chx-Glu), and Grup 4: 0.04% Chx-Glu. Two ml solution in each group was instilled into the peritoneal cavity through a median laparotomy and aspirated 5 minutes later. Animals that survived the perioperative period were sacrificed at the fifteenth postoperative day. Adhesion formation were macroscopically graded by Nair criteria. Results: Mortality rate was not significantly different between groups (p > 0.05). Adhesion formation was significantly low in study groups compared to control group (p < 0.05). Adhesion formation was significantly low in Chx-Glu groups compared to 20% NaCl group (p < 0.05). There was no diffirence of adhesion formation between Chx-Glu groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Currently, intraabdominal adhesions are still important problems in the surgical area. We recommend the use of 0.04% Chx-Glu solution in the treatment of hydatid disease and Peritoneal Hydatidosis as a potent and non-toxic agent in addition to its ability for decreasing intrabdominal adhesion formation.