Preventing intraperitoneal adhesions with atorvastatin and sodium hyaluronate/carboxymethylcellulose: a comparative study in rats

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of atorvastatin with the sodium hyaluronate/carboxymethylcellulose (HA/CMC, Seprafilm; Genzyme; Genzyme Biosurgery Corporation, Cambridge, MA) in preventing postoperative intraperitoneal adhesion formation in rats.MethodsSixty Wistar rats underwent a laparotomy, and adhesions A were induced by cecal abrasion. The animals were divided into 4 groups: group 1, control A; group 2, (A + atorvastatin); group 3, (A + HA/CMC), and group 4, (A + atorvastatin + HA/CMC). The atorvastatin (groups 2 and 4) and HA/CMC (groups 3 and 4) were administered intraperitoneally before the abdominal wall was closed. After 14 days, adhesions were classified by 2 independent surgeons.ResultsThe adhesion scores (mean ± standard deviation) for groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 2.93 ± .59, 1.85 ± 1.07, 1.80 ± .86, and 1.93 ± .70, respectively. The differences in adhesion scores among all 3 preventive groups (groups 2, 3, and 4) were statistically significant when compared with the control group (P = .005, P = .002, and P = .009, respectively).ConclusionsThese data suggest that atorvastatin, administered intraperitoneally, is as effective as HA/CMC without an expectable additive effect in preventing postoperative adhesions in rats.