Continuous peritoneal lavage after experimental caecal perforation. Increase in survival prevented by lack of adhesion formation.

The effect of continuous peritoneal irrigation on adhesion formation and survival rate was investigated in rats with faecal peritonitis induced by a caecal perforation. When no treatment was thereafter given, extensive adhesion formation and covering of the perforation were found at autopsy. Continuous peritoneal lavage did not increase the survival rate, but at autopsy no adhesion formation was seen and the perforation was wide open, permitting continued soiling.