Effective Prevention of Adhesions With Hyaluronate

HYPOTHESIS: Hyaluronate sodium in the form of a bioresorbant membrane reduces the development of intra-abdominal adhesions frequently found after implantation of synthetic mesh in the context of surgical hernia repair. DESIGN: The effect of hyaluronate on the formation of adhesions was evaluated when applied laparoscopically as a bioresorbant membrane to protect the peritoneal surface of a synthetic mesh. SETTING: Experimental animal model. INTERVENTIONS: A peritoneal defect 5 cm in diameter was bilaterally created in the abdominal wall of each of 9 pigs by laparoscopy. A polypropylene mesh was fixed with clips onto these defects on both sides. In each of the animals, only on one side, the synthetic mesh was also covered by a hyaluronate membrane. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The incidence and severity of adhesions (grade 0-4, where 0 indicates no adhesion; 1, filmy avascular adhesions; 2, vascular adhesions; 3, cordlike fibrous adhesions; and 4, plain fibrous adhesions) were determined after 45 days, comparing treated and untreated sides by autopsy results and histological features. RESULTS: Adhesions, mainly grades 3 and 4, occurred in 7 of the 9 animals in those meshes not covered by hyaluronate; 2 untreated animals did not develop adhesions. On the other hand, only 1 of the 9 animals developed adhesions (grade 2) at the mesh concealed by the hyaluronate membrane. CONCLUSIONS: The bioresorbant hyaluronate membrane significantly reduced the formation of peritoneal adhesions (1-sided sign test, P<.05) induced by the insertion of a polypropylene mesh, when compared with the contralateral implants not protected by hyaluronate. Thus, hyaluronate membranes are efficient for reducing the incidence of peritoneal adhesions.