Prevention by rat amniotic fluid of adhesions after laparatomy in a rat model.

BACKGROUND

Adhesion formation after abdominal surgery (especially multiple operations) is still a major cause of morbidities such as infertility, pain, bowel obstruction, difficult reoperation and other complications. Our aim was to investigate the ability of rat amniotic fluid to prevent adhesion formation after laparatomy in rats.

METHODS

This experimental trial was conducted in 20 pregnant rats randomly assigned to two groups of 10 animals each. Measurable serosal and intestinal injuries were created with a standard technique. Rats in both groups underwent laparatomy and hysterectomy. Then amniotic fluid was poured into the abdominal cavity of animals in the case group. All animals were operated on 4 weeks after initial surgery to assess adhesions, which were scored by an examiner who was blind to the animals' group assignment.

RESULTS

The frequency of severe adhesions was 30% in the control group and 0% in the intervention group. Total adhesion scores were significantly lower in the amniotic fluid treatment group than in the control group (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Rat amniotic fluid can decrease the likelihood of post-operative intraperitoneal adhesion formation.