Creation of abdominal adhesions in Mice

Clement D. Marshall, Michael S. Hu, Tripp Leavitt, Leandra A. Barnes, Alexander T.M. Cheung, Samir Malhotra, H. Peter Lorenz, Michael T. Longaker

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Abdominal adhesions consist of fibrotic tissue that forms in the peritoneal space in response to an inflammatory insult, typically surgery or intraabdominal infection. The precise mechanisms underlying adhesion formation are poorly understood. Many compounds and physical barriers have been tested for their ability to prevent adhesions after surgery with varying levels of success. The mouse and rat are important models for the study of abdominal adhesions. Several different techniques for the creation of adhesions in the mouse and rat exist in the literature. Here we describe a protocol utilizing abrasion of the cecum with sandpaper and sutures placed in the right abdominal sidewall. The mouse is anesthetized and the abdomen is prepped. A midline laparotomy is created and the cecum is identified. Sandpaper is used to gently abrade the surface of the cecum. Next, several figure-of-eight sutures are placed into the peritoneum of the right abdominal sidewall. The abdominal cavity is irrigated, a small amount of starch is applied, and the incision is closed. We have found that this technique produces the most consistent adhesions with the lowest mortality rate.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere54450
JournalJournal of Visualized Experiments
Volume2016
Issue number114
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 27 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Abdominal adhesion
  • Anatomy
  • Fibrosis
  • Issue 114
  • Medicine
  • Mouse
  • Scarring
  • Small bowel obstruction
  • Surgery

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • General Chemical Engineering
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Immunology and Microbiology

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