PREVENTION OF REFORMATION OF PELVIC ADHESIONS BY BARRIER METHODS

Abstract

Rabbits (25) received symmetrical injuries on both uterine horns. Ten days later the animals were re-operated and the adhesions were lysed and covered on one of the uterine horns with silicone in 10 animals (group A) and with Surgicel in 10 other animals (group B). The contralateral uterine horns served as internal controls and 5 animals in whom no barrier was used served as an external control (group C). The silicone was removed in a 3rd operation 10 days later. A scoring method was used for the quantitation of the adhesions. The reformation of adhesions on the treated side was reduced in group A (mean score 1.4 .+-. 1.5) and increased in group B (mean score 3.8 .+-. 0.43) in comparison with group C (mean score 2.5 .+-. 1.03) (P < 0.002). [The postoperative formation or reformation of pelvic adhesions still represents a major problem contributing to the relatively poor results obtained in infertility surgery.].