Efficacy of Seprafilm(®) graft with adhesiolysis in experimentally induced lid adhesion in rabbits.

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy of Seprafilm(®) transplantation following adhesiolysis for preventing postoperative readhesion and improving surgical outcomes.

METHODS

Primary blepharoplasty was carried out on both eyelids of 18 albino rabbits. After 2 weeks, a new skin incision was made, and adhesiolysis was performed on both eyelids. The rabbits were categorized into two groups, one with adhesiolysis alone in the left eyelid (control group), and the other with adhesiolysis with a Seprafilm(®) graft in the right eyelid (Seprafilm(®) group). The degrees of inflammation and fibrosis were examined with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson's trichrome stains. Expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was also immunohistochemically examined.

RESULTS

Eyelid examination immediately after the operation revealed mild swelling and hemorrhage in both groups, but these symptoms resolved after 1 week-2 weeks, and eyelid shape had recovered completely in both groups. Microscopic assessments demonstrated that the Seprafilm(®) group showed less inflammation and fibrosis than the control group. The Seprafilm(®) group also exhibited fewer α-SMA-positive cells than the control group.

CONCLUSION

Based on these findings, we conclude that Seprafilm(®) graft with adhesiolysis is an effective method for preventing postoperative readhesions after eyelid surgery.