Objective:

To investigate the effects of lipoic acid in the prevention of postoperative pelvic adhesions by a visual scoring system and immunohistochemistry in a rat uterine horn model with full thickness injury.

Material and Methods:

Twenty-eight female Wistar albino rats were randomised into four groups: uterine trauma control, 15 days and 30 days, and uterine trauma + lipoic acid, 15 days and 30 days. A full thickness defect was established by incising a segment of approximately 1.0 cm in length from each uterine horn, leaving the mesometrium intact. Extension and severity of the adhesions in each group were scored by a visual scoring system and evaluated immunohistochemically.

Results:

Adhesion scores were 2.00±0.81, 2.14±0.69 0.71±0.75, and 0.85±0.69 for extent and 2.28±0.48, 2.14±0.69, 0.85±0.69, and 1.14±0.69 for severity in Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Adhesion extent and severity were significantly less for groups treated by lipoic acid but no difference was observed between long and short administration. Both Vitronectin and u-PAR staining were significantly increased in treatment groups when compared to the control group.

Conclusion:

Lipoic acid was found to be effective in reducing postoperative adhesion formation in a rat model.

Keywords: Lipoic acid, adhesion, rat, uterine scar, full thickness uterine injury