Postoperative adhesion prevention with an oxidized regenerated cellulose adhesion barrier in infertile women

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of an oxidized regenerated cellulose ad hesion barrier as an adjuvant in preventing postoperative adhesions in infe rtile women undergoing reconstructive surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-eight cases of reconstructive surgery that could be fo llowed up for more than two years (myomectomy 19, cystectomy 5, tuboplasty 10, uteroplasty 4) at the Fujita Health University Hospital were evaluated retrospective ly. The barrier Interceed, Johnson & Johnson) was used to cov er the surgical site in 23 of these cases (Interceed + group); no adjuvant was used in 15 cases, which represent the surgical control group (Interceed - group), including 23 second-look operation cases (16 in the Interceed and 7 in the control group). Postoperative adhesion prevention and pregnanc y rates were estimated. RESULTS: At the second-look operation, six cases (37.5%) in the Interceed group and six (85.7%) in the Interceed - group had postoperative adhesions . No significant difference was found in either intensity or area covered w ith adhesions between the two groups. Eighteen cases (78.3%) in the Interce ed + and seven (46.7%) in the Interceed - group conceived during the follow -up period. CONCLUSION: The use of Interceed significantly reduced the rate of postoper ative adhesion-formation, with a statistically significant increase in the pregnancy rate as compared to the surgical controls.