The Effectiveness of Heparin on Preventing Adhesion Formation in Experimental Guinea Pigs Model with or without Peritonitis
*Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord-Iran; **Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman-Iran; ***Veterinarian, Kazeroun-Iran
Heparin is the most widely investigated anticoagulant used for prevention of adhesions. In this study, antiadhision effect of Heparin in abdominal cavity surgeries in Guinea pigs with or without peritonitis was evaluated. Our study was performed on 40 female Guinea pigs, 470-540 g body weight (mean of 500g), which were randomly divided into eight equal groups. At the beginning of the study, all 40 pigs were anesthetized using ketamine 5% (45 mg/kg) and xylazine 2% (5 mg/kg). Then a 2-3 cm midline incision was performed and the skin and fascia were incised. The peritoneum was opened and arrivals to abdominal cavity and bowl and peritoneum manipulation in each group were heparin was administered SC once a day for three days.
Group VII: In five Guinea pigs 100 units performed. Afterwards, these animals were divided into 8 groups as follows:
Group I: Five animals served as normal controls.
Group II: In five Guinea pigs 80 IU/kg heparin was administered SC once a day for three days.
Group III: In five Guinea pigs 100 units of Heparin poured in peritoneal cavity.
Group IV: The combination of both methods in groups II and III were applied.
In groups V, VI, VII and VIII peritonitis was induced intentionally (100 colonies of E.coli was inoculated in peritoneum).
Group V: Five animals served as control group with peritonitis.
Group VI: In five Guinea pigs 80 IU/kg of Heparin poured in peritoneal cavity.
Group VIII: The combination of both methods in groups VI and VII were applied.
Then the abdominal cavity was closed with nylon 2/0 continuously. No antibiotics were given. On the 21st postoperative day, the Guinea pigs were euthanised and intraperitoneal adhesions were scored pathologically. Adhesion or abscess formation was considerably reduced in groups III, VI, VII and VIII. As a result, in this animal model, heparin given intraperitoneally to prevent adhesions was found to be more effective than subcutaneous heparin application. It is concluded that the administration of heparin significantly reduces the development of adhesions and abscesses in the peritoneal cavity. This beneficial effect could be attributed to decreased fibrinogen deposits within the peritoneal cavity, thus rendering the bacteria more susceptible to cellular and noncellular clearing mechanisms.