Reduction of Abdominal Adhesions with Elecrospun Fiber Membranes in Rat Models.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the effects three electrospun fiber membranes on postoperative adhesion formation in rat surgical models.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The PEG-PHBV (polyethylene glycol and poly-β-hydroxybutyrate valerate), PLA(Polylactic acid) and CS-PEG(chitosan and polyethylene glycol) were used for submicrometric membranes fabrication by electrospinning. A total of 64 SD male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, one control group and 3 treatment groups, each consisting of 16 rats. The rats were underwent median laparotomy and standardized abrasion of the cecum. The indicated membranes were applied intraperitoneally at the end of the surgical procedure in the treatment groups, while the controls left without treatment. Two and four weeks after surgery respectively, a relaparotomy was made for adhesion grading and histopathological examination, Hydroxyproline (Hyp) levels at the adhesion sites in each group were measured.

RESULTS: The electrospun submicrometric membranes significantly reduced not only the incidence of adhesion but also the adhesion grading scales (p < 0.05 compared to the control group) at both two weeks and four weeks after the initial operation. Furthermore, the fibrosis grades were also higher in control groups as compared with the submicrometric membrane groups. Hyp levels in the control group was significant higher than the three experiment groups at both 2 and 4 weeks time points (p < 0.05). There were no statistical differences between the different treatment groups at either time points.

CONCLUSIONS: Three electrospun submicrometric membranes were soft, flexible, easy to handle, and effectively reduced adhesion formation in rat modes.