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.