Hyaluronic acid membrane for reducing adhesion formation and reformation in the rat uterine horn.

The efficacy of hyaluronic acid (HA) membrane in preventing or reducing intraperitoneal adhesion formation and reformation was evaluated in the rat uterine horn. Forty-seven Wistar rats were employed. Following a measured laser injury on the right uterine horn of each rat, HA membrane was applied to cover the site of injury in 20 (HA membrane group). No membrane was applied in another 20 (control group). The type and extent of adhesions were assessed at relaparotomy. Following microsurgical adhesiolysis at second-look laparotomy, the same animals were randomized to the HA membrane and control groups. The type and extent of adhesion reformation were evaluated at third-look laparotomy. Following a similar injury on the right uterine horn in another seven rats, HA membrane was applied on both uterine horns. A repeat laparotomy was performed three hours later to assess the status of the membrane. The type and extent of adhesion formation and reformation were comparable between the HA membrane and control groups. The HA membrane did not remain on the uterine horn and gelled rapidly. Hyaluronic acid membrane was ineffective in reducing adhesion formation and reformation in the rat uterine horn.