Evaluation of a bioresorbable hyaluronate-carboxymethylcellulose membrane for prevention of experimentally induced abdominal adhesions in horses.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of a bioresorbable hyaluronate-carboxymethylcellulose membrane (HA-membrane) for prevention of experimentally induced abdominal adhesions in horses.


METHODS
Experimental study.


METHODS
Twelve healthy adult horses.


METHODS
The effect of an HA-membrane on adhesion formation was evaluated in 12 healthy horses using an established model of serosal trauma to induce adhesions. A ventral median celiotomy and two jejunal resections and end-to-end anastomoses were performed. Two separate jejunal areas were abraded, and three 2-0 chromic gut sutures placed in the abraded areas. In treated horses (n = 6), HA-membranes were applied to the jejunum to completely cover the anastomoses and abraded areas of jejunum. Nontreated horses (n = 6) served as controls. All horses were killed 10 days after surgery. The abdominal cavity was evaluated for adhesion formation. The frequency of intra-abdominal adhesions between groups was compared with a chi2 test with statistical significance set at P < .05.


RESULTS
All control horses had intra-abdominal adhesions; fibrous adhesions were associated with both jejunal abrasion sites in 5 horses. One treated horse developed adhesions. There were significantly fewer adhesions in the HA-membrane-treated group (P < .0034).


CONCLUSIONS
In this experimental model, application of an HA-membrane to a localized area of serosal trauma reduced the frequency of intra-abdominal adhesion formation.


CONCLUSIONS
Application of an HA membrane may decrease the frequency of adhesions in horses at an increased risk of postoperative adhesion formation.
Mueller
P O
PO
Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens 30602, USA. emueller@calc.vet.uga.edu
Hay
W P
WP
Harmon
B
B
Amoroso
L
L
D000005:Abdomen; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006736:Horses / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007579:Jejunal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D007583:Jejunum / Q000601:surgery; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D011897:Random Allocation; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D014945:Wound Healing
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium