Effects of heparin and prednisolone on postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions in Wistar rats

Aim: Postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions are one of the complications surgeons want to avoid. It was aimed to compare the effects of physiological saline, heparin, Ringer’s lactate, and prednisolone, which have been commonly used for surgical adhesions, with repeated lavage on postoperative adhesions. Methods: Upon the approval of the Ethics Committee of Firat University, Faculty of Medicine, 35 Wistar Albino (female) rats were randomized into 5 groups (Heparin BID, Heparin QD, Prednisolone QD, Prednisolone BID, and Control) of 7 rats, and adhesion was created with peritoneal injury model in all rats. The differences in the adhesions created between groups were compared using the macroscopic adhesion scoring system of Linsky. Results: No significant differences were found between physiological saline-heparin and Ringer's lactate-prednisolone groups in terms of adhesion scores (P=0.06). There was a difference in adhesion severity on the left only in the groups receiving heparin QD and prednisolone QD (P=0.04). Conclusion: We demonstrated that none of the agents (Physiological saline, Heparin, Ringer's lactate, and prednisolone) we used in our study model reduced adhesions. It is thought that no difference was detected because of the adhesion model we established. Advanced technology-based studies are still needed to prevent postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions that are globally observed to reduce a huge economic burden and decrease mortality and morbidity.