Objective: To determine if partial omentectomy would decrease the frequency of experimentally induced intra-abdominal adhesions in dogs.

Materials & Methods: Twenty apparently healthy mixed breed dogs of both sexes, weighing 15 to 25 kg, were used in this study. Five sites of serosal abrasion were created in the jejunum of each dog following routine experimental exploratory laparotomy. Intra-operatively, ten dogs had partial omentectomy (Omentectomy group), and ten dogs did not (Control group). Dogs were necropsied at 3 weeks and the abdominal cavities were evaluated for adhesion formation. The frequency of intra-abdominal adhesions between groups had statistical significance of p<0.05.

Results: All control dogs had fibrous intra-abdominal adhesions, which were associated with almost all 5 sites of serosal abrasion. The most frequent adhesion was detected between omentum and the abraded sites of small intestine. One dog in omentectomy group developed adhesions. There were significantly fewer adhesions in the omentectomy group.

Conclusions: In the present experimental study, partial omentectomy reduced the rate of post-operative intra-abdominal adhesions in dogs. Omentectomy should be considered prophylactically in dogs at an increased risk of adhesion formation after abdominal surgery.