The document discusses the significant clinical consequences of peritoneal adhesions, which affect a substantial percentage of patients undergoing peritoneal surgery, leading to issues such as intestinal obstruction and infertility. It emphasizes the importance of surgical techniques and the use of barriers in preventing adhesion formation, comparing the outcomes of laparotomy and laparoscopy. The ideal adhesion prevention barriers should be safe, absorbable, and effective at reducing the incidence and severity of adhesions.

1. Adhesion Prevention In
Peritoneal Surgery
Dr. Mamdouh Sabry
MD. Ain Shams Un. Egypt, Ph.D. France, Paris V. Un.
Consultant Ob. & Gyn.
EL Mataria Teaching Hospital, Nasser Institute
Cairo, Egypt

2. Peritoneal adhesions continue to be the
bogey of reproductive & non reproductive
surgeons.
 Infection
 Endometriosis
 Surgical Trauma
Etiology:

3. Post surgical adhesions present itself
in 85% of patients doing peritoneal
surgery
• Clinical consequences:
– 30-40 % of cases of intestinal obst. Surgery.
– 40 % of chronic pelvic and abdominal pain .
– 15-20 % of female infertility.
Unlimited Subsequent Surgery

4. Peritoneal Healing & Adhesion
Formation
• Peritoneal morphology (mesothelial surface cells,
vascularized C.T., mesenchymal stem cells) surface
area > Unique response to injury
• Large injuries re-epithelialize as quickly as small
ones, no need for sutures (5 –6 days)
• Cutting (blunt), coagulation, drying and abrasion
induce inflammatory reaction > Adhesion
formation – Blood ?!
• Irrigation with buffered solutions prevents tissue
desiccation and removes soluble fibrin

5. Peritoneum
Peritoneal Defect
Increased Vessel Permeability
Inflammatory Exudate
Trauma
Monocytes
Histocytes
Polymorphs
Plasma
Cells
Fibrin
Matrix
Fibrinolysis
Normal fibrinolytic activity Suppressed fibrinolytic activity
Plasminogen Ischemia
Resolution of fibrin
Repair
Mesothelium
Fibrinoblast Proliferation
Adhesion Formation
Persistence of fibrin
Organisation of fibrin matrix
Peritoneal Healing (5-7 days)

6. Peritoneal Healing
Mesothelial Regulation
I. Transferred peritoneal cells from
adjacent viscera
II. Metaplasia of subperitoneal connective
tissue cells
III. Maturation of mesenchymal stem cells
IV. Adjacent normal peritoneum
V. Cells from peritoneal fluid

7. Traumatised Peritoneum
• Ischemia
• Thermal, Electrical, or
Chemical Damage
• Mechanical Destruction
• Inflammation
• Infection
• Foreign Body Contact

8. Initial Peritoneal Healing
• Chemotactic
messengers
• Coagulation
• Inflammatory
exudate
• Fibroblast
proliferation

9. Formation of Fibrin
Bands
• Inflammatory
exudate
• Fibrin
deposition
• Fibrin Band
formation

10. Normally Healed
Peritoneum
• Fibrinolytic activity
• Tissue plasminogen
activator

11. Adhesion Formation
• Fibroblast
proliferation
• Neovascularisation
• Mesothelial over-
growth

12. Laparotomy – Laparoscopy
& Adhesions
• Differences
• Abdominal wall adhesions
• Techniques
• Adhesion scoring

13. Correlation between skin incision, prior surgery, and
subsequent adhesion formation
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
M. Sabry & Di Zerega GSD
IncidenceofAdhesion
Incision type Pfannenstiel Pfannenstiel Midline Midline Midline Midline
Incision number Multiple Single Multiple Single Multiple
Umbilicus Below Below Above Above
Number 180 78 55 32 30 9

14. Laparotomy - Laparoscopy
• The extent and severity of adhesions after
laparoscopy are less than laparotomy with absence
of de novo adhesions ( Diamond et al 1987, 2000 ,
Di Zerega 2007 and M. Sabry 2009)
• Laparoscopy is less likely to cause adhesions in
untouched patient
• Despite introduction of laparoscopy and application
of meticulous surgical technique, still the rate of
adhesion reformation after adhesiolysis is not low.
• So other efforts are needed

15. Insufflation & Peritoneum
• Filtered, heated, hydrated gas
must be used for laparoscopy

16. The Prevention of Adhesions
• Good Surgical Technique, dissection,
sutures, cauterisation, instruments .........
• Reduction of the inflammatory reaction,
towelling .....
• Prevention of fibrin formation
• Mechanical separation of raw surfaces
• Other adjunctive therapies. (Barriers)

17. Barriers
• Barriers are the only proven method of
reducing the incidence of adhesions
without causing any adverse reactions
• Characteristics of the ideal barrier:
• Safe and effective
• Absorbable
• Promotes remesothelialisation
• Non-inflammatory
• Easy to use
• Cost effective

18. Adhesion prevention barriers
Barriers Mechanism
Crystalloid Fluid barrier. Rapidly absorbed, and clinical efficacy limited , 35 ml/hr
Dextran 70 Osmotically draws fluid into the peritoneal cavity, resulting in hydroflotation of organs, anaphylaxis
(Hyskon)
Interceed Oxidized regenerated cellulose that separates opposing surfaces. A procoagulant,
TC7 which may increase adhesion formation in the presence of blood, FDA
ePTFE Nonreactive, nonresorbable mechanical barrier separating opposing surfaces. Requires
(Gore-Tex) suturing, and is a permanent material unless removed
Seprafilm Hyaluronic acid coupled with carboxymethyl cellulose. Non-reactive, non-immunogenic,
(HAL-F) and has good efficacy even in the presence of some blood. Cannot be applied through laparoscopy
Fibrin glue Polymerizes to solid film after application and produces mechanical barrier
Poloxamer Polymer of propylene oxide, ethylene oxide. Animal studies only
407
Repel Polyethylene glycol 6000 and polylactic acid block copolymers. Animal studies only
Hyalobarrier Auto-crosslinked hyaluronan gel, locally applied.
gel
Intergel FDA approved. Stopped by producer
Adept Mucopolysacchride

19. Interceed application
A
A
B
B
CC

20. Intergel
• Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring
component of peritoneal fluid
• Peritoneal mesothelial cells synthesize
HA in vitro
• It plays a role (HA) in cellular lubrication
and maintenance of structural integrity
of tissue as well as regulation of fluid
retention

21. Conclusion
Ideal Barrier
• Safe
• Absorbable gel or fluid
• Clinically proven to reduce the incidence,
extent and severity of post surgical
adhesions
• Effective at the surgical site as well as
throughout the peritoneal cavity
• Easy to use
• Compatible with laparoscopy

22. Future of adhesion barriers
Efficacy Complete adhesion prevention vs. novo and reformed adhesion
in the presence of blood and infection
Utility: Usable in endoscopic surgery
Indications: Gynecology, general surgery, cardiothoracic surgery
Tendon surgery, neurosurgery, and cranial surgery
Clinical outcome Reduced pain
Reduced bowel obstruction
Preserved fertility
improved quality of life
Cost effective
Non invasive assessment
Future Cellular mechanisms in adhesiogenesis
understanding Patient subpopulation
Bioactive materials
Tissue engineering approaches

23. Thank you