The value of an absorbable adhesion barrier, Interceed, in the prevention of adhesion reformation following microsurgical adhesiolysis.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether Interceed, an absorbable adhesion barrier, confers any additional benefit over conventional microsurgery, including the use of an adjuvant (hydrocortisone), in the prevention of adhesion reformation after pelvic microsurgery.

DESIGN

A prospective, randomised, controlled study.

SETTING

Jessop Hospital for Women, Sheffield, UK.

SUBJECTS

Twenty-eight women who underwent pelvic microsurgery for infertility or for chronic pelvic pain and who had bilateral pelvic adhesions and deperitonealised areas following adhesiolysis.

INTERVENTIONS

Following microsurgical adhesiolysis, one side of the pelvis was randomised to have its deperitonealised areas covered with Interceed, whereas the contralateral side served as the control. A second look laparoscopy was carried out 3 to 14 weeks after microsurgery to evaluate adhesion reformation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The amount of adhesion reformation at second look laparoscopy compared with the amount of deperitonealised area exposed following microsurgical adhesiolysis.

RESULTS

The use of Interceed resulted in a significant reduction of adhesion reformation over and above that achieved by conventional microsurgical techniques with hydrocortisone as an adjuvant.

CONCLUSION

Interceed, an absorbable adhesion barrier, is of value in the prevention of adhesion reformation and may be used in conjunction with hydrocortisone instilled intraperitoneally at the conclusion of microsurgery.