Evaluation of a bioresorbable hyaluronate-carboxymethylcellulose membrane for prevention of experimentally induced abdominal adhesions in horses

Objective— To evaluate the efficacy of a bioresorbable hyaluronate‐carboxymethylcellulose membrane (HA‐membrane) for prevention of experimentally induced abdominal adhesions in horses. Study Design— Experimental study. Animal Population— Twelve healthy adult horses. Methods— The effect of an HA‐membrane on adhesion formation was evaluated in 12 healthy horses using an established model of serosal trauma to induce adhesions. A ventral median celiotomy and two jejunal resections and end‐to‐end anastomoses were performed. Two separate jejunal areas were abraded, and three 2–0 chromic gut sutures placed in the abraded areas. In treated horses (n = 6), HA‐membranes were applied to the jejunum to completely cover the anastomoses and abraded areas of jejunum. Nontreated horses (n = 6) served as controls. All horses were killed 10 days after surgery. The abdominal cavity was evaluated for adhesion formation. The frequency of intra‐abdominal adhesions between groups was compared with a x2 test with statistical significance set at P < .05.. Results— All control horses had intra‐abdominal adhesions; fibrous adhesions were associated with both jejunal abrasion sites in 5 horses. One treated horse developed adhesions. There were significantly fewer adhesions in the HA‐membrane‐treated group (P < .0034). Conclusions— In this experimental model, application of an HA‐membrane to a localized area of serosal trauma reduced the frequency of intra‐abdominal adhesion formation. Clinical Relevance— Application of an HA membrane may decrease the frequency of adhesions in horses at an increased risk of postoperative adhesion formation.