Prevention of adhesions by surfactants and cellulose derivatives in mice

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of hydrophobically modified ethyl (hydroxyethyl) cellulose (cellulose), sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronate) and phosphatidylglycerol, in the reduction of adhesion formation. Design: Controlled study. Setting: Experimental academic unit, Sweden. Material: NMRI mice. Solutions: (1) cellulose, (2) hyaluronate, (3) phosphatidylglycerol, (4) phosphatidylglycerol and cellulose, and (5) phosphatidylglycerol, cellulose and hyaluronate. Interventions: A standard lesion was created in the parietal peritoneum in mice. One of the viscous solutions to be tested, or saline, was given intraperitoneally. Main outcome measures: Amount of adhesions found one week postoperatively. Results: Cellulose; phosphatidylglycerol and cellulose; and phosphatidylglycerol, cellulose and hyaluronate all significantly reduced the amount of adhesions (p = 0.0002, p = 0.002, p < 0.0001), as did the hyaluronate alone (p < 0.05). Phosphatidylglycerol alone did not reduce the amount of adhesions. Combining cellulose with phosphatidylglycerol, or with hyaluronate, did not improve efficacy. Conclusion: Cellulose and hyaluronate were effective in reducing the formation of adhesions. Combining cellulose with hyaluronate or phosphatidylglycerol or both did not improve efficacy.