A membrane slurry reduces postoperative adhesions in rat models of abdominal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Sodium hyaluronate and carboxymethylcellulose (HA-CMC) membrane is an effective barrier material for limiting postoperative adhesions, but can be difficult to apply in certain situations due to its physical properties. We tested whether HA-CMC membrane hydrated in saline (slurry) is an effective alternative to HA-CMC membrane for preventing surgical adhesions in rat models of abdominal surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: All studies were performed in rat cecal abrasion or sidewall defect models of adhesion formation. Adhesions were examined 7 d after surgery. In separate studies, the effects of variations in slurry composition, volume, and site of application on anti-adhesive properties were studied and compared with untreated controls. Finally, the effectiveness of HA-CMC membrane slurry for preventing adhesions was compared with that of conventional HA-CMC membrane.

RESULTS: Application of HA-CMC membrane slurry to traumatized tissue resulted in a significant reduction in the incidence of adhesions compared with untreated controls in both rat surgery models. Slurry was equally effective when applied in low and high film-to-volume formulations, but had minimal effect when applied in a small volume or at a location distal to the injury. Comparison of HA-CMC membrane slurry and conventional HA-CMC membrane indicated similar efficacy for reducing postoperative adhesions.

CONCLUSIONS: In rat models of abdominal surgery, HA-CMC membrane slurry reduced postoperative adhesion formation and may be an effective alternative for HA-CMC membrane in situations where its use is limited by its physical properties.