Histopathologic effects of obstetric gel on the vaginal tissue: in vaginal trauma formed rat model

The present study aimed to investigate the histopathological effects of obstetric gel (OG) on vaginal tissue. In this study, 21 female Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups, comprising seven animals in each group. The first group (group 1) was the control group, the second group (group 2) was the physiological saline (PS) group, and the third group (group 3) was the OG group. In group 1, dilatation was performed using Hegar dilators from Hegar 5 to Hegar 10 without any vaginal application. In group 2, the vagina was washed with a PS-filled applicator. In group 3, the vagina was washed with an OG-filled applicator and Hegar dilators were used to achieve vaginal dilatation. In the group of OG-applied rats, there was an increase in mast cell infiltration, tissue epithelial thickness, and fibrillin-1 levels of the mucosa in the vaginal tissue. The present study is the first to investigate the histopathological effects of OG used for vaginal tissue dilatation in rats. OGs have no early effectiveness in preventing the damage caused by compression of the vaginal wall; however, OGs may have a protective effect against pelvic floor pathologies.