The effectiveness of low molecular weight heparin on adhesion formation in experimental rat model.

In our experimental animal model, 50 Winstar-Albino rats were divided into five groups in a randomized manner. After all were anesthesized with ether, laparotomy was performed on each one and the caecum and terminal ileum were scrubbed with a toothbrush until serosal petechial bleedings were seen. In the first group, the abdomen was closed after this procedure. In the second group, the abdomen was closed after application of 0.9% NaCl solution intraperitoneally. In the third group, the abdomen was closed after LMWH (low molecular weight heparin) was given intraperitoneally. In the fourth group, LMWH was given in prophylactic dosage subcutaneously on the day of operation and for the following seven days. In the fifth group, abdomen was closed after heparin was given intraperitoneally. On the fourteenth postoperative day, the rats were sacrificed and intraperitoneal adhesions were scored according to the "Mazuji's Scale". There was a statistically significant difference between group I and group III. No statistically significant difference could be found between group I and group IV (p > 0.05). Between group I and V a statistically significant difference was found (p < 0.005). Again a statistically significant difference was found both between group III and IV (p < 0.05), and between group IV and V (p < 0.001). No such difference was observed between group IV and V (p < 0.05). As a result, in this animal model, LMWH given intraperitoneally to prevent adhesions was found to be more effective than subcutaneous and intraperitoneal heparin application.