Clinical evaluation of a viscoelastic gel for reduction of adhesions following gynaecological surgery by laparoscopy in Europe.
BACKGROUND
Commonly used adhesion prevention devices either cannot be applied or are difficult to use via laparoscopy. A viscoelastic gel was developed specifically for adhesion prophylaxis during minimally invasive surgery.


METHODS
Randomized, third party-blinded, parallel-group design conducted at four centres. Patients (18-46 years old) underwent laparoscopic surgery with second look 6-10 weeks later. Viscoelastic gel coated adnexa and adjacent tissues. Blinded reviews of videotapes were quantified by American Fertility Society (AFS) adhesion scores.


RESULTS
In 25 treatment patients, surgery was performed on 45 adnexa. Coverage of surgical sites at risk for adhesions was typically accomplished with approximately 15 ml of viscoelastic gel which was delivered in approximately 90 s. In 24 control patients, surgery alone was performed on 41 adnexa. Treated adnexa showed a decrease in AFS score (11.9-9.1). In contrast, control adnexa showed an increase in AFS score (8.8-15.8). This difference in second-look AFS scores (42% reduction) is significant (P<0.01). Ninety-three per cent of treated adnexa did not have a worse adhesion score in contrast to 56% of control adnexa. Combining scores into prognostic categories also show significant treatment effect of the viscoelastic gel (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Viscoelastic gel was easy to use via laparoscopy and produced significant reduction in adnexal adhesions. It provides benefits to patients undergoing gynaecological surgery.
Lundorff
P
P
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Viborg Hospital, Viborg, Denmark.
Donnez
J
J
Korell
M
M
Audebert
A J M
AJ
Block
K
K
diZerega
G S
GS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002482:Cellulose / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010388:Pelvis; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005782:Gels; C406630:Oxiplex; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D002482:Cellulose