A novel hyaluronan-based gel in laparoscopic adhesion prevention: preclinical evaluation in an animal model

• Published in: Fertility and sterility Vol. 69; no. 2; p. 318
• Main Authors: De Iaco, P A, Stefanetti, M, Pressato, D, Piana, S, Doná, M, Pavesio, A, Bovicelli, L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-02-1998
• Subjects: Animals; Biopsy; Cohort Studies; Female; Gels; Hyaluronic Acid - chemistry; Laparoscopy - methods; Rabbits; Random Allocation; Tissue Adhesions - pathology; Tissue Adhesions - prevention & control; Tissue Adhesions - surgery; Uterus - injuries; Uterus - pathology; Uterus - surgery
• ISSN: 0015-0282
• DOI: 10.1016/S0015-0282(98)00496-8

To evaluate the effectiveness of a crosslinked hyaluronan solution (ACP gel) in the prevention of postsurgical adhesions in laparoscopic surgery.
A randomized blinded study using a rabbit model in laparoscopic surgery.
A standardized surgical trauma in the rabbit uterine horn to induce adhesion formation.
Sixty-four sexually matured female New Zealand white rabbits weighing 2.5 to 3.0 kg and aged 3-4 months.
After trauma, group 1 (n = 22) received no treatment, group 2 animals (n = 20) received oxidized-regenerated cellulose (Interceed [TC7]) in group 3 (n = 22) 5 mL of ACP gel were applied on the lesion.
Six weeks after laparoscopy, a laparotomy was performed and the adhesions were scored according to Blauer's scoring system.
66% of the untreated animals and 85% of the animals treated with Interceed presented with severe adhesions, whereas only 35% of the ACP gel treatment group had significant adhesions. The mean ( +/- SEM) increased adhesion score was 2.24 +/- 0.26 in the untreated group, 2.45 +/- 0.22 in the Interceed group, and was 1.25 +/- 0.28 in the ACP gel group.
This study revealed that ACP gel holds promise as a novel resorbable biomaterial for the reduction of postoperative adhesions after laparoscopic surgery.