Despite the development of new surgical techniques in modern times, intraabdominal adhesions are an important problem for causing intestinal obstruction, infertility and pelvic pain. This study was performed for comparing the efficacies of carboxymethylcellulose, meloxicam and vitamin E on preventing adhesions.

In this study, 56 male Sprague-Dawley breed rats of 4 months old were used. They were divided into 8 groups. Following general anesthesia and preparing the surgical site for aseptic surgery, in all groups 1 cm2 area in ileocecal region and equal size in peritoneum was traumatized by brushing. While group 1 was served as control with no application, the remaining 7 groups were intraperitonally applied carboxymethylcellulose, meloxicam, vitamin E, carboxymethylcellulose + meloxicam, carboxymethylcellulose + vitamin E, meloxicam + vitamin E, carboxymethylcellulose + meloxicam + vitamin E groups, respectively. The results were evaluated macroscopically, biochemically and histopathologically.

Carboxymethylcellulose, meloxicam and vitamin E were observed to have significantly decreased the adhesion as compared to the control (P<0.005). The differences were not significant when carboxymethylcellulose, meloxicam and vitamin E were compared with each other (P>0.005). It was determined a significant difference to exist during comparing the combinations of these drugs to their single usages (P<0.005). It was found that no a marked difference between all groups concerning fibrinogen levels (P>0.005).

In conclusion, it was determined that various combinations of carboxymethylcellulose, meloxicam, and vitamin E were more effective.