Evaluation of polyethylene glycol/polylactic acid films in the prevention of adhesions in the rabbit adhesion formation and reformation sidewall models.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of bioresorbable films consisting of various polyethylene glycol 6000 and polylactic acid block copolymers on the formation and reformation of adhesions in rabbit models of adhesion development between the sidewall to the adjacent cecum and bowel. The composition of the different polymers was expressed by the number of monomeric units in the block, namely, ethylene oxide (EO) and lactic acid (LA), respectively.


METHODS
Studies of the efficacy of EO/LA films were conducted in rabbit sidewall adhesion formation studies in the presence and absence of blood and in rabbit adhesion reformation studies. REPEL (Life Medical Sciences, Edison, NJ), a film of EO/LA ratio 3.0 manufactured under commercial conditions, was also tested in these animal models.


METHODS
University-based laboratory.


METHODS
New Zealand white rabbits.


METHODS
Placement of films of various EO/LA ratios at the site of injury to the parietal peritoneum.


METHODS
Adhesion formation and reformation.


RESULTS
Films of various EO/LA ratios, Seprafilm (Genzyme, Cambridge, MA) and Interceed (Johnson and Johnson Medical, Arlington, TX) placed over an area of excised sidewall at the time of initial injury were highly efficacious in the prevention of adhesion formation. A film of EO/LA ratio 3.7, in contrast with Interceed, was also shown to maintain maximal efficacy in the reduction of adhesion formation in the presence of blood. Further, a film of EO/LA ratio 3.0 produced under commercial conditions, REPEL, was highly efficacious in reducing adhesion development in the rabbit models of adhesion and reformation.


CONCLUSIONS
These studies suggest that bioresorbable EO/LA films reduced adhesion development in rabbit models of adhesion formation and reformation.
Rodgers
K
K
Livingston Research Institute, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA.
Cohn
D
D
Hotovely
A
A
Pines
E
E
Diamond
M P
MP
diZerega
G
G
D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery; D000818:Animals; D002483:Cellulose, Oxidized / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D019344:Lactic Acid; D011091:Polyesters; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011108:Polymers; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011817:Rabbits; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000517:prevention & control*
D002483:Cellulose, Oxidized; C060002:INTERCEED; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C033616:poly(lactide)