title: Histopathologic effects of a low molecular weight heparin on bone healing in rats: a promising adjuvant in dacryocystorhinostomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of short-term prophylactic dose of a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) drug on the bone healing process in an animal model simulating the osteotomy obtained in dacryocystorhinostomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty male Wistar albino rats were divided into 2 groups. Subcutaneous injections of enoxaparin 1 mg/kg (enoxaparin-treated group) and saline solution (control group) were performed once daily for 4d, beginning on the first preoperative day. The osteotomy was created at the femoral diaphysis in all animals by using a Kirschner wire. Each group was further divided into 2 subgroups depending on the timing of the second operation, 14 or 21d following initial osteotomy. Patent osteotomy area on the second and the third weeks in each group were calculated by using a computer software on digital micrographs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patent osteotomy areas at the second and the third weeks were significantly larger in the enoxaparin-treated group than those of the control group (P<0.001 for each time-period). In the control group, the patent osteotomy area at the third week of healing was significantly smaller than that of the second week (P=0.003), whereas there was no significant difference between these two measurements in the enoxaparin-treated group (P=0.185).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short-term administration of enoxaparin resultes in a significant alteration in bone healing at 14 and 21d after injury. LMWHs can be regarded as promising alternative adjuvants in dacryocystorhinostomy after being evaluated with further clinical and animal studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara 06100, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet Numan
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Alp
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara 06100, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ozdamar Fuad
authors.initials: OF
authors.lastname: Oken
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara 06100, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mustafa Fevzi
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Sargon
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara 06100, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ucaner
keywords: dacryocystorhinostomy; enoxaparin; low molecular weight heparin; wound healing