Prevention of postoperative adhesions in rabbits with ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent.

Twenty-six New Zealand White rabbits were randomly assigned to control or treated groups. In the treated group, the rabbits were medicated with either dexamethasone or ibuprofen. The injuries were made as standard as possible for each animal. The animals were killed 2 to 3 weeks postoperatively and the extent of adhesions was evaluated. Ibuprofen appeared to inhibit the formation of significant adhesions as compared with adhesion formation in untreated control animals, and the results seemed as effective as in the dexamethasone-treated animals. Further studies should be performed to substantiate these initial observations and to determine the most effective dosage. Ibuprofen may have a potential place in tubal surgery.