Systemic Effects of a Polyethylene Polymer-Based Obstetrical Lubricant in the Peritoneal Cavity of the Horse

A polyethylene polymer-based obstetrical lubricant [ a] has been used to facilitate successful delivery of numerous foals. However, this study has demonstrated that the polyethylene polymer is rapidly absorbed from the peritoneal cavity and that it causes an acute, fatal toxicity. Thus, extreme caution should be employed by surgeons if a mare requiring cesarean section has had large volumes of polyethylene polymer-based lubricant infused into the uterus.