New quantitative variables to measure postoperative pericardial adhesions: useful tools in experimental research

• Published in: Acta cirúrgica brasileira 2009-04, Vol.24 (2), p.82-86
• Main Authors: Lopes, Jackson Brandão, Dallan, Luís Alberto Oliveira, Moreira, Luiz Felipe Pinho, Carreiro, Mário Castro, Rodrigues, Flávia Luana Barbosa, Mendes, Pedro de Castro, Stolf, Noedir Antônio Groppo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0102-8650; 0102-8650
• DOI: 10.1590/S0102-86502009000200002

PURPOSE: To improve the measurement system, during a research for the prevention of adhesions, we explored the feasibility of introducing three continuous numeric variables to quantify the intensity of pericardial adhesions. METHODS: To validate these three new numeric variables - time spent to dissect the adhesions (Δt), the amount of sharp dissection (ShpD) and the adhesion's collagen area (ACA) - as useful tools in measuring the severity of pericardial adhesions, data from a randomized study on adhesion prevention enrolling twenty-four swine, were analysed. A statistical Spearman's test and regressions models were applied to verify the correlation and the relationship between the results of a standard severity score (SS) and Δt, between SS and ShpD used in adhesiolysis and, also, between SS and ACA. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant correlation between SS and Δt, between SS and ShpD, as well as between SS and ACA, all measured by the Spearman's test (r=0.897, r=0.932, r=0.66; p