Reducing the incidence and severity of pericardial adhesions with a sprayable polymeric matrix.
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to evaluate the antiadhesive properties of a polymeric agent in infants undergoing staged surgical correction of congenital heart abnormalities.


METHODS
Sixteen infants having staged surgical repair were treated with a polymeric matrix at the completion of the initial surgery. There were 5 untreated controls. The tenacity and extent of adhesions at five separate regions of the heart were evaluated at the follow-up surgery.


RESULTS
For all sites combined, there was a threefold difference in median tenacity scores in favor of the experimental treatment (1.0 vs 3.0, p < 0.01). Significant differences were achieved separately at the right ventricle and the anterior surface of the great vessels (p = 0.02 for both comparisons). Analysis of adhesion scores reflecting the extent of adhesions similarly favored the experimental treatment for all sites (80 vs 270, p < 0.01), with significant differences persisting at the right atrium (p < 0.01) and the anterior surface of the great vessels (p = 0.04). There were no treatment-related adverse events.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of this polymeric agent at the completion of open cardiac surgery may prevent the occurrence or reduce the severity of pericardial adhesions.
Konertz
Wolfgang F
WF
Charité University Hospital for Cardiovascular Surgery, Berlin, Germany.
Kostelka
Martin
M
Mohr
Friedrich W
FW
Hetzer
Roland
R
Hübler
Michael
M
Ritter
Julia
J
Liu
Jianchi
J
Koch
Christina
C
Block
Jon E
JE
D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010496:Pericardium; D011108:Polymers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000517:prevention & control; D014014:Tissue Adhesives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011108:Polymers; D014014:Tissue Adhesives