Efficacy of glycerol in preventing postoperative peritoneal adhesions

To evaluate the efficacy of glycerol in preventing postoperative peritoneal adhesions.

Forty Wistar albino female rats were randomly assigned into four groups of 10 rats each. Rats in group 1 were each injected intraperitoneally with 0.1 mL glycerol. In group 2, the adhesion model was created with no injection of glycerol. In group 3, the adhesion model was created and the area was covered with 0.1 mL glycerol. In group 4, 0.1 mL glycerol was used to cover the area where the model was to be formed and the adhesion model was created. The rats were killed on postoperative day 10, and the size and severity of adhesions were evaluated, together with histopathological fibrosis parameters.

Mean macroscopic adhesion scores in groups 1-4 were, 0, 5.8 +/- 0.42, 0.30 +/- 0.95 and 0, respectively (P = 0.0001), with the score in group 2 higher than those of groups 1 (P < 0.001), 3 (P < 0.01) and 4 (P < 0.001). Mean histopathological fibrosis values were 0, 2.8 +/- 0.32, 1.60 +/- 0.70 and 0.60 +/- 0.51, respectively (P < 0.0001). Group 3 and 4 scores were different than group 2 (P < 0.0001) and group 3 was also different than group 4 (P < 0.001).

Covering peritoneal surfaces with glycerol, both before and after peritoneal trauma, is effective in decreasing peritoneal adhesion formation. The efficacy of glycerol covering was greater in the group receiving glycerol prior to trauma because it decreased the direct effects of trauma on the surface.