The Effect of Postoperative Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment on Intra-Abdominal Adhesions in Rats

Abstract

Abdominal adhesions, whether caused by peritoneal trauma, radiation, infection, or a congenital condition, are associated with a wide range of complications. These complications include chronic abdominal or pelvic pain, infertility, and adhesive small bowel obstruction. Such adhesions render re-operation difficult, with attendant risks of inadvertent enterostomy and increased operation time. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy in the prevention of abdominal adhesions in an experimental animal study. A laparotomy was performed on Wistar rats to induce the formation of adhesions on the cecum and the intra-abdominal area (1 × 2 cm). A superficial layer of the underlying muscle from the right abdominal wall was also shaved and prepared for aseptic surgery. The rats were divided into four groups according to the duration of HBO therapy; five additional groups were designated according to the conditions of HBO therapy. When the rats were evaluated according to adhesion area and grade, a statistically significant difference was observed between the control and HBO treatment groups (p < 0.005). Results from this study suggest that HBO treatment could reduce adhesion formation; and further suggest that HBO therapy may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of postoperative peritoneal adhesion.

An experimental novel study: hyperbaric oxygen treatment on reduction of epidural fibrosis via down-regulation of collagen deposition, IL-6, and TGF-β1

“…Accordingly, in the present study, both the collagen deposition and epidural adhesion decreased with the down-regulation of IL-6 and TGF-b1. Previous literatures and the present data may explain some if not all of the possible mechanisms that make HBO effective in preventing EF [15,26]. We hypothesize that the major mechanism of HBO on preventing EF was its beneficial role on reducing inflammatory cytokines [27].…”

Clinical effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in adhesive postoperative small bowel obstruction

“…An experimental study showed that HBO ameliorates bacterial translocation in rats with mechanical intestinal obstruction. Chen and colleagues demonstrated the efficacy of HBO therapy in a rat peritoneal adhesion model. Abu‐Asi and co‐workers reported the value of HBO in treating recurrent acute bowel obstruction after previous pelvic radiotherapy.…”

Abdominal and pelvic adhesions: Possible role of leiomyomas and skin scar anomaly in profiling high risk patients

“…In fact, they are the leading cause of intestinal obstructions in developed world [9] and are responsible for 20% -40% of infertility [5,10]. In addition to their morbidity, they may also result in prolonged operating time, inadvertent organs injuries and high financial cost [8,11].…”

“…Adhesions can cause important morbidity including abdominal and pelvic pain, intestinal obstructions, and infertility [8]. In fact, they are the leading cause of intestinal obstructions in developed world [9] and are responsible for 20% -40% of infertility [5,10].…”