Aims: In the current investigation, we studied the effects of a fiber-rich diet on experimental intestinal adhesion formation.
Methods: A total of 40 Wistar rats (males), weighing between 350g and 400g, were divided into two groups. Group 7% (control) received a diet consisting of 7% fiber and the other group received a diet of 17% fiber (fiber-rich). The animals underwent laparotomies to induce adhesions on the 7th day of receiving their respective diets. Seven days after laparotomy the animals were sacrificed and adhesions were evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively (Swolin).
Results: Quantitative analysis revealed that in the 7% group, 9 animals had 3 adhesions, 5 animals had 4 adhesions, 4 animals had 5 adhesions, and 1 animal died during induction. In the 17% group, 4 animals presented 2 adhesions, 6 animals had 3 adhesions, 6 animals had 4 adhesions, 2 animals showed 5 adhesions, and 1 animal died during induction. The Swolin score revealed that the 7% group had 2 animals with a score of 3, 10 animals with a score of 4, and 7 animals with a score of 5. In the 17% group, 4 animals had a score of 3, 7 animals had a score of 4, and 9 animals had a score of 5 (p = 0.319).
Conclusion: Our data showed that the high-fiber diet was not effective to avoid the formation of adhesions.
Key words: Tissue adhesions, surgery, postoperative complications, dietary fiber
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