Postoperative adhesions are frequent and serious complications that lead to longer operative times and high medical costs. Various types of antiadhesive materials, including films, solutions, and hydrogels, have been developed; however, they have limitations in providing localized antiadhesive properties, maintaining low volume change, and allowing for rapid preparation suitable for minimally invasive procedures. Here, we developed in situ-forming hydrogel barriers based on decanoyl group-modified Alaska pollock gelatin (C10-am-ApGltn) and a poly(ethylene glycol)-based crosslinker (4S-PEG). The resulting hydrogels adhered to the desired intestinal tissue surfaces and showed antiadhesive property within 60 s. The hydrogel barriers that adhered to the tissue were stable for at least 2 days in an aqueous environment. The hydrogel barrier prepared from 4 w/v% C10-ApGltn showed no volume changes after immersion in saline for 24 h. The gelation time of the hydrogel was within 4 s when the concentration of C10-ApGltn ranged from 4 to 15 w/v%; however, it slowed at 2 w/v%. The freeze-dried 4 w/v% C10-am-ApGltn sample rapidly dissolved in a buffer solution within a few min without heating. Furthermore, 4S-PEG for 4 w/v% C10-am-ApGltn sample dissolved within 3 s. An in vivo rat adhesion model revealed that the hydrogel barrier of 4 w/v% C10-ApGltn showed antiadhesive property, complete degradation behavior, and wound healing property within 2 weeks. With its antiadhesive effects, stable volume, and short preparation time, the hydrogel barrier developed from 4 w/v% C10-am-ApGltn has the potential to be used as a localized barrier for the prevention of postoperative adhesion.
Komatsu et al. (Wed,) studied this question.