Effects of surgical gloves on postoperative peritoneal adhesions and cytokine expression in a rat model

Background: Postoperative intraperitoneal adhesions are a major cause of morbidity. We studied the effects of synthetic and latex gloves, and their powders, on postoperative adhesions and cytokine expression in a rat model. Methods: Rats underwent laparotomy and cecal abrasion. Rats were grouped based on the glove type used: synthetic powder-free (SPF), synthetic powdered (SP), latex powder-free (LPF), and latex powdered (LP). Serum cytokine (tumor necrosis factor'[TNF], interleukin-1 [IL-1], and IL-6) levels were measured. Animals were killed and peritoneal adhesions were graded. Results: The SPF group had no adhesions. Adhesions were increased similarly in the SP and LPF groups, and further increased in the LP,group. Postoperative serum cytokine levels showed a similar pattern of increases. Conclusions: The presence of latex or powder on surgical gloves promoted increased adhesions. Serum cytokine levels con-elated with the degree of adhesion formation. Strategies to use latex-free, powder-free gloves and/or limit cytokine expression may decrease peritoneal adhesions in the clinical setting. (C) 2004 Excerpta Medica, Inc. All rights reserved.