Efficacy of octyl methoxycinnamate in preventing postoperative peritoneal adhesions: an experimental model.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of octyl methoxycinnamate on preventing postoperative peritoneal adhesions (PPA).

Methods: Forty outbred Wistar albino female rats (mean weight, 230 +/- 25 g; mean age, 6 months) were divided into four equal groups. In Group 1, 0.1 mL octyl methoxycinnamate was injected into the peritoneal cavity. In Group 2, only an adhesion model was generated. In Group 3, an adhesion model was generated, and then this area was covered with 0.1 mL octyl methoxycinnamate. In Group 4, an adhesion model was generated after the area was covered with 0.1 mL octyl methoxycinnamate. All rats were sacrificed on postoperative day 10, and adhesions were scored both macroscopically and microscopically.

Results: The macroscopic adhesion score of Group 2 differed significantly from the scores in Groups 3 and 4 (P < 0.05), but there was no difference between Groups 3 and 4 (P > 0.05). Microscopic evaluation showed that the mean histopathological fibrosis score of Group 3 differed significantly from the score in Group 4 (P = 0.029).

Conclusion: Octyl methoxycinnamate covering peritoneal surfaces effectively decreases adhesion formation, but the effect is more pronounced if octyl methoxycinnamate is applied before trauma induction. These results indicate that covering of peritoneal surfaces with viscous liquids, such as octyl methoxycinnamate, which have no toxic effects on vital tissues and especially on peritoneal mesothelial cells, prior to peritoneal trauma (e.g. laparotomy) may decrease PPA formation by preventing or decreasing the trauma.