ADHESION REFORMATION - REDUCTION BY THE USE OF INTERCEED (TC7) PLUS HEPARIN

Adhesions frequently develop after surgical procedures. Several groups have demonstrated that reduction of adhesion reformation is more difficult than reduction of adhesion formation. Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of Interceed (TC7) (oxidized regenerated cellulose) plus heparin in reducing adhesion formation. This study evaluates the efficacy of this combination in limiting adhesion reformation. Adhesions were created using a previously standardized rabbit uterine horn model. After adhesiolysis, rabbits were assigned randomly to one of four groups: control, Interceed (TC7) alone, Interceed (TC7) plus 500 USP units heparin/horn, and Interceed (TC7) plus 1000 USP units heparin/horn. Adhesion reformation was evaluated 2 weeks later. Combination of the Interceed (TC7) barrier plus heparin resulted in a significant reduction of the adhesion reformation scores. It is concluded that Interceed (TC7) plus heparin is efficacious in reduction of both adhesion formation and adhesion reformation.