Role of Proteolytic Enzyme in the Prevention of Postoperative Intraperitoneal Adhesions

Peritoneal adhesions were produced in 90 male albino rats by painting the anterior surface of the rats cecum with absolute alcohol to produce an aseptic inflammation. The adhesions were classified into five grades according to their number, extent, and density. A proteolytic enzyme fromCarica papaya(Papase) was given orally to these animals in the immediate postoperative period and was found to reduce markedly the incidence and extent of adhesions as compared with those of a control group of rats. This product was found to be equally effective in reducing the incidence and extent of reformation of adhesions after their lysis.