The Effect of Hazelnut Oil on Intra-Abdominal Adhesion: An Experimental Study in a Rat Model

Aim: Intra-abdominal adhesions are a common complication of abdominopelvic surgery, contributing to chronic pain, infertility, and intestinal obstruction. Oxidative stress and inflammation play central roles in their pathogenesis, underscoring the need for effective preventive agents with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to evaluate the potential anti-adhesive effects of topically applied hazelnut oil compared to Seprafilm in a standardised rat model of peritoneal injury. Material and Methods: Twenty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups: Sham (hazelnut oil only), Adhesion (injury without treatment), Adhesion + Hazelnut Oil, and Adhesion + Seprafilm. Adhesions were induced via standardised cecal abrasion. Hazelnut oil (5 mL) or Seprafilm (30 × 20 mm) was applied intraperitoneally. After 14 days, macroscopic adhesions were scored using the Evans classification, and histopathological evaluation was conducted using the Zühlke score. Results: Significant differences were observed in macroscopic (Evans Score) and histopathological (Zühlke Score) adhesion scores among groups (p < 0.001). The Sham group exhibited significantly lower scores than the Adhesion group (p < 0.001). The Hazelnut Oil and Seprafilm groups showed lower median scores compared to the Adhesion group, but these differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The Hazelnut oil showed a trend toward reduced histopathological fibrosis, similar to Seprafilm, suggesting a potential protective effect. Conclusion: These findings suggest that hazelnut oil may have a role in reducing intra-abdominal adhesions, though the effect was not statistically significant in this small sample. Its natural composition and potential biochemical benefits warrant further investigation as a cost-effective anti-adhesive agent.