Effect of Omeprazole on Fracture Healing in the Random-Patterned Rat Tibial Fracture Model: An Experimental Study

Fractures represent one of the most common pathologies encountered in orthopedic practice. Various factors can impact fracture healing, both negatively and positively. This study aimed to investigate the influence of omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor prescribed to mitigate the side effects of non-steroidal anti-ınflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used for pain management post-fracture treatment and for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis, on fracture union through an animal experiment.

The study utilized 40 male Wistar-Albino rats obtained from the Experimental Research Laboratory. Employing the simple randomization method, the animals were divided into experimental and control groups, with tibia fractures induced and subsequently fixed intramedullarily. At the conclusion of the sixth week, comprehensive histological, radiological, and biomechanical assessments were conducted to compare fracture union and bone biomechanical strength with the control group.

Histological and radiological evaluations were conducted on the tibias of 40 male Wistar-Albino rats. In terms of biomechanical analysis, 14 tibias from the control group and 16 tibias from the study group were examined. Remarkably, the study group exhibited superiors union compared to the control group both histologically (p=0.033), radiologically (AP1 view; p=0.040, AP2 view; p=0.036, LAT1 view; p=0.081, LAT2 view; p=0.03), and biomechanically (p=0.047), following omeprazole use.

The administration of omeprazole as a proton pump inhibitor following fracture treatment contributes positively to the process of fracture healing.