Reduction of adhesion formation with cross-linked hyaluronic acid after peritoneal surgery in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effectiveness of a cross-linked hyaluronan solution (auto-cross-linked polysaccharide [ACP] gel) for the prevention of postsurgical adhesions.


METHODS
A randomized blinded study using a rat model of laparotomy.


METHODS
Surgical Research Laboratory in a university medical school.


METHODS
Sixty-seven sexually mature rats.


METHODS
Standardized surgical trauma was induced in the rat uterine horn to induce adhesion formation. After trauma, group-1 animals (n = 23) received no treatment, group 2 (n = 21) received noncross-linked hyaluronic acid (HA), and group 3 (n = 23) received cross-linked HA applied on the lesion.


METHODS
Six weeks after laparotomy, repeat laparotomy was performed and the adhesions were scored according to Blauer's scoring system.


RESULTS
Overall, 84% of the untreated animals and 65% of the animals treated with noncross-linked HA presented with severe adhesions. The mean (+/-SEM) increase in the adhesion score was 2.46+/-0.23 in the untreated group, 2.23+/-0.29 in the group receiving noncross-linked HA, and 1.27+/-0.12 in the ACP gel group.


CONCLUSIONS
ACP gel holds promise as a novel resorbable biomaterial for the reduction of postoperative adhesions after laparotomy.
Koçak
I
I
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ondokuz Mayis University School of Medicine, Samsun, Turkey. kocak@iname.com
Unlü
C
C
Akçan
Y
Y
Yakin
K
K
D000818:Animals; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D005260:Female; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000517:prevention & control*
D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid