Introduction
Although our knowledge about peritoneal cavity physiology and peritoneal healing mechanism is increasing, postoperative adhesions continue to be a problem for surgeons from different disciplines. In different studies, the direct relationship between intra-abdominal surgical interventions and adhesion formation has been revealed, and it has been stated that the most important cause of intestinal obstruction is adhesions due to previous surgeries (2-5). Postoperative adhesions are fibrous connections that can be seen between organs that are not normally combined with each other and are surrounded by serous membranes following injury or surgical operations (2). Intra-abdominal adhesions can cause complications such as abdominal pain, intestinal obstruction and infertility in women. Approximately 30% of intestinal obstructions develop due to intra-abdominal adhesion and postoperative peritoneal adhesion occurs in more than 90% of all laparotomies (2). These adhesions sometimes require major abdominal surgery interventions or cause prolongation of operations performed for another reason. In addition, they lead to postoperative mortality, morbidity and cost increase due to their ability to extend the length of hospital stay (6). Despite advanced surgical techniques and medical treatment options, postoperative intraadominal adhesions are still an unsolved problem. When the literature is examined, it is seen that many experimental, clinical studies and theoretical reports on adhesion prevention have been published since the beginning of the century (7). Various chemical agents using as adhesion inhibitors prevent fibrin organization by inhibiting fibroblastic proliferation. Therefore, many agents such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs], corticosteroids, calcium channel blockers, histamine antagonists, antibiotics, fibrinolytic drugs, antioxidants and vitamins have been tried to inhibit this proliferation (8). Lycopene is a pigment belonging to the carotenoids family, naturally found in vegetables and fruits. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative and antineoplastic effects of lycopene have been reported in various experimental and epidemiological studies (9, 10). In this observational rat study, we investigated the effectiveness of lycopene use in preventing adhesions after gynecological surgery.