A hyaluronate based gel for the prevention of postsurgical adhesions: evaluation in two animal species

Abstract

Objective: To assess in two animal surgery models, the efficacy of a bioabsorbable gel to prevent postoperative adhesions.

Design: A randomized, prospective, blinded study using animal abdominal surgery models.

Setting: Two animals species with surgical traumas to induce adhesion formation.

Interventions: A chemically modified hyaluronate and carboxymethylcellulose-based gel formulation.

Main outcome measures: The number of animals with no adhesions, mean number of adhesions, and total adhesion score.

Results: Treatment with the bioabsorbable gel increased the number of animals without any adhesion by 70% in a rat cecal abrasion model and by > 90% in a rabbit sidewall defect-bowel abrasion model when compared with nontreatment control animals. Other outcome measures showed similar efficacy.

Conclusion: The modified hyaluronate-carboxymethylcellulose gel was effective in two animal species after surgery in the abdominal cavity. The gel appears to act as a physical barrier between damaged peritoneal tissue and may be appropriate for human clinical trials in open and laparoscopic surgical procedures.