Although different products have been developed to prevent post-surgical adhesion, their efficacy remains un-
satisfactory. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the gelatin sponge in the prevention of post-surgical

intra-abdominal adhesions in a rat model. Rats were randomly divided into sham, adhesion, and gelatin

groups. All rats, except the sham group, underwent cecal abrasion to establish an adhesion model. After cel-
iotomy, a sterile gelatin sponge was applied intra-abdominal on the abraded cecum in the gelatin group. Rats

were sacrificed on day 14 post-surgery and intra-abdominal adhesions were evaluated and scored. Adhesion

tissues were evaluated by histological, histochemical, and immunohistochemical analysis. Intra-abdominal ad-
hesions were recorded in all rats of the adhesion group. Intra-abdominal application of gelatin sponge signifi-
cantly (P < 0.001) reduced intra-abdominal adhesions by 91% in the gelatin group relative to the adhesion

group. The histological analysis revealed a marked decrease (P < 0.001) in the inflammatory score and neo-
vascularization in the gelatin group. The histochemical analysis found that gelatin sponge administration

reduced adhesion formation and thickness of adhesion tissue. Moreover, gelatin sponge significantly (P <
0.0001) increased MMP-9 expression and decreased macrophage marker expression in adhesive tissue. This study
revealed that the application of gelatin sponge markedly reduced the post-surgical intra-abdominal adhesions
and suggests new guidance for using gelatin sponge as an anti-adhesive substance in clinical practice.