Use of fibrin adhesive to reduce post-surgical adhesion reformation in rabbits

Abstract

Following surgery on fallopian tubes, the development of adhesions is a natural consequence of wound healing and may result in infertility. Using a rabbit model, we evaluated the anti-adhesive properties of a sponge-like equine collagen sheet (TachoComb®), which is coated on one side with human fibrinogen and bovine thrombin. TachoComb® is applied by affixing the sheet over the area of perforation or bleeding and acts as a haemostatic agent, capable of sealing perforations to prevent leakage. In our rabbit model, adhesions were induced by mechanical and chemical irritants during laparotomy. After a 1-month recovery period, adhesions were lysed using microsurgical techniques and TachoComb®, or physiological saline applied. Evaluation of adhesion reformation was determined after a minimum of 10 days. TachoComb® significantly reduced the area of adhesion reformation compared with rabbits treated using physiological saline only. Our study demonstrated that TachoComb® is effective not only as a haemostatic agent, but is also capable of reducing adhesion reformation.