Comparison of intraperitoneal honey and sodium hyaluronate-carboxymethylcellulose (Seprafilm) for the prevention of postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions.
BACKGROUND
Abdominal surgery can lead to postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions (PIAAs) with significant morbidity and mortality. This study compares the use of honey with a standard bioresorbable membrane (SEPRAFILM) to prevent the formation of PIAAs in rats.


METHODS
Thirty rats underwent laparotomy, and PIAAs were induced by scraping the cecum. The animals were divided into three groups, each containing ten rats. Group 1 (control) represented the cecal abrasion group, with no intraperitoneal administration of any substance. Group 2 (honey group) underwent cecal abrasion and intraperitoneal administration of honey. Group 3 (Seprafilm group) underwent cecal abrasion and intraperitoneal Seprafilm application.


RESULTS
Group 1 exhibited higher adhesion scores for adhesions between the abdominal wall and the organs. Groups 2 and 3 had decreased adhesive attachments to the intra-abdominal structures. Compared to group 1, the incidence of adhesion formation was lower in both group 2 (p=0.001) and group 3 (p=0.001). The incidence of fibrosis was also lower in group 2 (p=0.016) and group 3 (p=0.063) compared to group 1. There was no significant difference between the histopathological fibrosis scores for the rats in group 2 and those in group 3 (p= 0.688).


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that both honey and Seprafilm decrease the incidence of PIAAs in the rat cecal abrasion model. Although the mechanism of action is not clear, intraperitoneal administration of honey reduced PIAAs. The outcome of this study demonstrates that honey is as effective as Seprafilm in preventing PIAAs.
Emre
Arif
A
Department of General Surgery, Gazi University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey.
Akin
Murat
M
Isikgonul
Ipek
I
Yuksel
Osman
O
Anadol
Ahmet Ziya
AZ
Cifter
Cagatay
C
D000818:Animals; D056705:Apitherapy / Q000379:methods*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002432:Cecum / Q000601:surgery; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006722:Honey; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; C118198:Seprafilm; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid