Hyaluronic acid/carboxymethylcellulose membrane surrounding an intraperitoneal or subcutaneous jejunojejunostomy in rats

Objective: To investigate the healing of intra-abdominal and extra-abdomina l jejunal anastomoses that were surrounded by a hyaluronic acid/carboxymeth ylcellulose membrane (Seprafilm(R)) in rats. Design: Laboratory study. Setting: University hospital, The Netherlands. Animals: 56 male Wistar rats. Interventions: 28 rats had jejunojejunostomies placed subcutaneously and 28 had them placed intra-abdominally. Half of each group of anastomoses were surrounded by Seprafilm(R). Main outcome measures: After 3 or 7 days, the anastomoses were tested for b ursting pressure, tensile strength, and hydroxyproline concentrations. Results: There were numerous strong adhesions around the anastomoses in the subcutaneous position and Seprafilm(R) had no influence on their extent. B ursting pressure and hydroxyproline concentrations were not affected by pos ition or Seprafilm(R) treatment. Tensile strength was significantly higher in the subcutaneous position (p < 0.01), but was unaffected by Seprafilm(R) Conclusion: Anastomotic healing was not impaired in the subcutaneous or int raperitoneal position in this model. Seprafilm(R) had no effect on the anas tomosis.