The effect of cross-linked hyaluronate hydrogel on the reduction of post-surgical adhesion reformation in rabbits

The effects of cross-linked hyaluronate hydrogel and liquid sodium hyaluron ate on post-surgical adhesion reformation were examined using a rabbit mode l. Primary adhesions in the ileocaecal region of Japanese white rabbits wer e induced by mechanical and chemical irritants during laparotomy. After 1 m onth the primary adhesions were lysed by microsurgery and cross-linked hyal uronate hydrogel or liquid sodium hyaluronate was applied to the lysed lesi ons. After 10 - 14 days the area of adhesion reformation was measured to as sess any inhibitory effect of the test materials. Rabbits treated with cros s-linked hyaluronate hydrogel showed a significant reduction in adhesion re formation area compared with liquid sodium hyaluronate or physiological sal ine treatment, and the area reduced to (mean +/- standard deviation) 0.6 +/ - 1.95% of the original lesion. In a separate study, histological evaluatio n of rabbits treated with crosslinked hyaluronate hydrogel revealed a bette r healing pattern and a lower inflammatory response compared with controls. All these findings suggest cross-linked hyaluronate hydrogel may be a valu able anti-adhesion material to prevent post-surgical adhesion in abdominal or pelvic surgery.