The value of an absorbable adhesion barrier, Interceed, in the prevention of adhesion reformation following microsurgical adhesiolysis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether Interceed, an absorbable adhesion barrier, confers any additional benefit over conventional microsurgery, including the use of an adjuvant (hydrocortisone), in the prevention of adhesion reformation after pelvic microsurgery.


METHODS
A prospective, randomised, controlled study.


METHODS
Jessop Hospital for Women, Sheffield, UK.


METHODS
Twenty-eight women who underwent pelvic microsurgery for infertility or for chronic pelvic pain and who had bilateral pelvic adhesions and deperitonealised areas following adhesiolysis.


METHODS
Following microsurgical adhesiolysis, one side of the pelvis was randomised to have its deperitonealised areas covered with Interceed, whereas the contralateral side served as the control. A second look laparoscopy was carried out 3 to 14 weeks after microsurgery to evaluate adhesion reformation.


METHODS
The amount of adhesion reformation at second look laparoscopy compared with the amount of deperitonealised area exposed following microsurgical adhesiolysis.


RESULTS
The use of Interceed resulted in a significant reduction of adhesion reformation over and above that achieved by conventional microsurgical techniques with hydrocortisone as an adjuvant.


CONCLUSIONS
Interceed, an absorbable adhesion barrier, is of value in the prevention of adhesion reformation and may be used in conjunction with hydrocortisone instilled intraperitoneally at the conclusion of microsurgery.
Li
T C
TC
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jessop Hospital for Women, Sheffield, UK.
Cooke
I D
ID
D000328:Adult; D002483:Cellulose, Oxidized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000601:surgery; D007813:Laparotomy; D008866:Microsurgery; D000292:Pelvic Inflammatory Disease / Q000601:surgery; D010388:Pelvis / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*
D002483:Cellulose, Oxidized; C060002:INTERCEED