Intraperitoneal administration of single dose type I collagen or low dose melatonin to prevent intraperitoneal adhesion formation: a comparative study.

Objective: To compare the prevention of adhesion formation by type I collagen or melatonin solutions in the rat model.

Study Design: A total of 40 female Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to four groups-type I collagen, melatonin, vehicle control and sham groups. Following midline laparotomy, a standard injury was made on the right uterine horn using bipolar cautery. The animals in the sham group underwent midline laparatomy only. One milliliter of type I collagen, melatonin or vehicle control was instilled onto the injured area immediately before abdominal closure. Fourteen days after the surgery, the type and extent of adhesion formation as well as the uterine horn tissue superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured.

Results: Both the type and extent of adhesion formation were significantly lower in the type I collagen and melatonin groups compared to the control group. The tissue SOD and CAT activity was significantly higher, and MDA levels were significantly lower in the type I collagen and melatonin groups compared to the control group.

Conclusion: Intraperitoneal administration of type I collagen or low dose melatonin solution onto the injured areas may be an attractive adjuvant to reduce postoperative adhesion formation.