Current strategies and future perspectives for intraperitoneal adhesion prevention.
BACKGROUND
The formation of peritoneal adhesions still is a relevant clinical problem after abdominal surgery. Until today, the most important clinical strategies for adhesion prevention are accurate surgical technique and the physical separation of traumatized serosal areas. Despite a variety of barriers which are available in clinical use, the optimal material has not yet been found.


CONCLUSIONS
Mesothelial cells play a crucial physiological role in friction less gliding of the serosa and the maintenance of anantiadhesive surface. The formation of postoperative adhesions results from a cascade of events and is regulated by various cellular and humoral factors. Therefore, optimization or functionalization of barrier materials by developments interacting with this cascade on a structural or pharmacological level could give an innovative input for future strategies in peritoneal adhesion prevention. For this purpose, the proper understanding of the formal pathogenesis of adhesion formation is essential. Based on the physiology of the serosa and the pathophysiology of adhesion formation, the available barriers in current clinical practice as well as new innovations are discussed in the present review.
REPAIR-lab, Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Langenbeckstraße 1,55101 Mainz, Germany. brochhausen@pathologie.klinik.uni-mainz.de
Christoph
C
Brochhausen
Volker H
VH
Schmitt
Constanze N E
CN
Planck
Taufiek K
TK
Rajab
David
D
Hollemann
Christine
C
Tapprich
Bernhard
B
Krämer
Christian
C
Wallwiener
Helmut
H
Hierlemann
Rolf
R
Zehbe
Heinrich
H
Planck
C James
CJ
Kirkpatrick
D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000592:standards*; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000473:pathology*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D000267:Tissue Adhesions