Effect of honey on intestinal morphology, intraabdominal adhesions and anastomotic healing

In the present study, attempts have been made to determine the effects of honey on intestinal morphology, postoperative adhesions, and the healing of colonic anastomoses in the rats after colonic resection and anastomosis. Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into three groups each including 12 animals. Colonic resection and anastomosis were performed on all animals. Rats were fed with standard rat chow in group I, standard rat chow plus 10 g/kg/day honey in group II and artificial honey including the same caloric amount with honey in group III. Adhesion scores, bursting pressures and histopathological examinations were evaluated. Colonic bursting pressures of honey group were significantly better than control and artificial honey groups. Histological analysis of anastomotic site showed that submucosa and muscularis propria were nearly filled with granulation tissue and regular fibrin matrix in honey group. There was statistically significant difference between the adhesion scores of honey vs artificial honey and control groups. The scores of histological changes of ileum in honey group were significantly different from other groups. These results indicate a protective role of honey against intraabdominal adhesions and anastomotic dehiscence.