The ability of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator to inhibit post-radical pelvic surgery adhesions in the dog model

We investigated the ability of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator to inhibit post-radical pelvic surgery adhesions formation in 40 adult female canines undergoing radical hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, resection of pelvic and abdominal peritoneum, and placement of a peritoneal access catheter. Immediately after operation one half of animals received either recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, 1 mg/kg weight, diluted in 9 ml sterile normal saline solution per milligram of the plasminogen activator or 10 ml vehicle per kilogram intraperitoneally every 12 hours for a total of 10 doses. A single control animal died postoperatively of complications of intestinal obstruction. No bleeding abnormalities were noted in either group of animals. Four weeks after surgery, animals underwent reexploration and adhesions were quantified. Adhesion scores for the animals treated with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator ( n = 20; mean score, 1.29 ± 1.97; median, 0.6) were significantly less than for control animals ( n = 19; mean score, 4.64 ± 3.71; median, 3.86; p = 0.03). Whereas recombinant tissue plasminogen activator appears to effectively prevent post-radical pelvic surgery adhesions in this canine model, phase I and II trials in humans will be required to determine safety and clinical benefit.