Adhesion awareness in 2016: An update of the national survey of surgeons

Awareness of Anti-adhesive Barriers Among Surgeons in Saudi Arabia

Introduction Post-operative adhesions present a number of difficulties, including intestinal obstruction and infertility, and they frequently require readmission due to adhesion-related problems. Notwithstanding these ramifications, there are surprisingly few thorough national surveys that address surgeons' awareness of adhesives. By assessing Saudi surgeons' knowledge of post-operative adhesions and their use of anti-adhesive medications, this study aims to close this knowledge gap. Methods This study is a cross-sectional observational research study aimed at Saudi Arabian surgeons utilizing a self-administered, semi-structured online questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to participants via social media and in-person email using basic random selection. It included adhesion morbidity and prevalence, pre-operative informed consent issues, adhesion preventive viewpoints, and anti-adhesive chemical use. Results There were 111 participants in total, of 41% were experienced surgeons with more than five years of experience. According to the survey, the majority of surgeons occasionally employed anti-adhesive compounds, especially during laparotomies (28%), and 38% never used them during laparoscopies. The study found that participants varied in what they informed patients regarding adhesion complications: 25% of participants informed 5%-10% of the patients about the possible adhesion complications in laparotomy procedures, whereas 26% of participants informed 10-25% of the patients in laparoscopic procedures. Compared with their specialist peers, general surgeons agreed more on the clinical significance of adhesions and prevention. Notably, three-quarters of participants were unclear about when to use anti-adhesive compounds. Conclusion While acknowledging the clinical significance of post-operative adhesions and recognizing the potential for prevention, most surveyed surgeons did not include adhesions as a post-operative complication in informed consent. The study underscores a belief in the efficacy of anti-adhesives yet reveals a widespread lack of clarity regarding specific indications for their use. Recommendations include implementing educational sessions during surgical training to heighten awareness of adhesions as a major post-operative complication and to encourage the appropriate utilization of available barriers and pharmacological anti-adhesive products.

Transvaginal extraperitoneal single-port laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy for apical prolapse after total/subtotal hysterectomy: Chinese surgeons' initial experience

BACKGROUND

To introduce a novel technique of transvaginal extraperitoneal single-port laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (ESLS) for apical prolapse and to evaluate the feasibility and short-term outcomes of this technique.

METHODS

Sixteen patients were enrolled to undergo ESLS between January 2020 and May 2021. Perioperative outcomes were included. Short-term results were assessed by Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (PFDI-20), Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) scores, mesh exposure and prolapse recurrence.

RESULTS

A total of 14/16 cases (87.5%) were successfully completed. The mean operation time was 118 min (range 85-160), and the mean blood loss was 68 ml (range 20-100). The mean postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) pain score at 24 h was 0.7. No intraoperative complications occurred except for one patient who developed subcutaneous emphysema. All patients gained a significant improvement in both physical prolapse and quality of life at 12 months after surgery, and there was no mesh exposure or prolapse recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Our experience showed that transvaginal ESLS is a feasible and effective technique for apical prolapse with a previous hysterectomy. However, this technique should be performed by surgeons with extensive experience both in vaginal surgery and laparoscopic single-port surgery.

Predicting long-term risk of reoperations following abdominal and pelvic surgery: a nationwide retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The risk of reoperations after abdominal and pelvic surgery is multifactorial and difficult to predict. The risk of reoperation is frequently underestimated by surgeons as most reoperations are not related to the initial procedure and diagnosis. During reoperation, adhesiolysis is often required, and patients have an increased risk of complications. Therefore, the aim of this study was to provide an evidence-based prediction model based on the risk of reoperation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A nationwide cohort study was conducted including all patients undergoing an initial abdominal or pelvic operation between 1 June 2009 and 30 June 2011 in Scotland. Nomograms based on multivariable prediction models were constructed for the 2-year and 5-year overall risk of reoperation and risk of reoperation in the same surgical area. Internal cross-validation was applied to evaluate reliability.

RESULTS

Of the 72 270 patients with an initial abdominal or pelvic surgery, 10 467 (14.5%) underwent reoperation within 5 years postoperatively. Mesh placement, colorectal surgery, diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease, previous radiotherapy, younger age, open surgical approach, malignancy, and female sex increased the risk of reoperation in all the prediction models. Intra-abdominal infection was also a risk factor for the risk of reoperation overall. The accuracy of the prediction model of risk of reoperation overall and risk for the same area was good for both parameters ( c -statistic=0.72 and 0.72).

CONCLUSIONS

Risk factors for abdominal reoperation were identified and prediction models displayed as nomograms were constructed to predict the risk of reoperation in the individual patient. The prediction models were robust in internal cross-validation.

An Occlusive Form of Acute Gangrenous Appendicitis With Periappendicular Abscess in an Elderly Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review

Acute appendicitis represents one of the common causes of admission to the emergency department. In rare cases, patients with appendicitis can suffer complications such as intestinal obstruction. These particular cases of occlusive appendicitis with a periappendicular abscess usually occur in elderly patients and can develop in an aggressive form, nonetheless with a favorable evolution. We present a case of an 80-year-old male patient, reporting symptoms similar to an occlusive digestive pathology: abdominal pain, intestinal transit disorders, and fecal vomiting. A computerized tomography scan suggested a mechanical bowel obstruction. The patient had an exploratory laparotomy indication to find the cause of the obstruction. The peritoneal cavity inspection revealed an occlusive form of acute gangrenous appendicitis with a periappendicular abscess. An appendectomy was performed. In conclusion, as surgeons, we must always take into consideration that acute appendicitis can represent a cause of intestinal obstruction, especially in elderly patients.

An Overview of Postoperative Intraabdominal Adhesions and Their Role on Female Infertility: A Narrative Review

Postoperative intraabdominal adhesions can occur after more than 90% of gynecologic surgeries. They not only cause chronic pelvic pain and small bowel obstruction, but are also one of the main reasons for infertility. Adhesions are not only a burden for the affected patients, but are also a burden for the healthcare system, since the treatment of adhesion-associated complications costs a considerable amount of money. The gold standard for the diagnosis of adhesions is by laparoscopy, although other methods, such as transvaginal hydro-laparoscopy, are being discussed as better alternatives. Ideally, adhesions are avoided inherently, by operating carefully and by using microsurgical principles. If this is not possible, gel barriers have been shown to be successful in reducing postoperative adhesions.

Natural History and Management of Small-Bowel Obstruction in Patients After Cytoreductive Surgery and Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Small-bowel obstruction (SBO) after cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) is a common complication associated with re-admission that may alter patients' outcomes. Our aim was to characterize and investigate the impact of bowel obstruction on patients' prognosis.

METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis of patients with SBO after CRS/HIPEC (n = 392). We analyzed patients' demographics, operative and perioperative details, SBO re-admission data, and long-term oncological outcomes.

RESULTS

Out of 366 patients, 73 (19.9%) were re-admitted with SBO. The cause was adhesive in 42 (57.5%) and malignant (MBO) in 31 (42.5%). The median time to obstruction was 7.7 months (range, 0.5-60.9). Surgical intervention was required in 21/73 (28.7%) patients. Obstruction eventually resolved (spontaneous or by surgical intervention) in 56/73 (76.7%) patients. Univariant analysis identified intraperitoneal chemotherapy agents: mitomycin C (MMC) (HR 3.2, p = 0.003), cisplatin (HR 0.3, p = 0.03), and doxorubicin (HR 0.25, p = 0.018) to be associated with obstruction-free survival (OFS). Postoperative complications such as surgical site infection (SSI), (HR 2.2, p = 0.001) and collection (HR 2.07, p = 0.015) were associated with worse OFS. Multivariate analysis maintained MMC (HR 2.9, p = 0.006), SSI (HR 1.19, p = 0.001), and intra-abdominal collection (HR 2.19, p = 0.009) as independently associated with OFS. While disease-free survival was similar between the groups, overall survival (OS) was better in the non-obstruction group compared with the obstruction group (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

SBO after CRS/HIPEC is common and complex in management. Although conservative management was successful in most patients, surgery was required more frequently in patients with MBO. Patients with SBO demonstrate decreased survival.

Transumbilical single-site laparoscopic parallel mattress suturing prevents bleeding and chronic pelvic pain in myomectomy: a retrospective cohort study of 124 cases with intramural fibroids

Background

The most common complications of myomectomy are intraoperative hemorrhage and postoperative adhesion. The key point to overcome this problem is to improve suture quality. However, to date, there is still no consensus on the optimal method of uterine repair. In this study, we explored the effectiveness and feasibility of single-site laparoscopic parallel mattress sutures to reduce intraoperative bleeding and postoperative adhesion.

Methods

A retrospective cohort analysis was performed, according to the STROBE guidelines, on 124 patients with intramural fibroids admitted between May 2020 and April 2021. The cases were divided into two groups based on the description of the uterine incision suture in the surgical records, including 68 cases in the parallel mattress suture (PMS) group and 56 cases in the simple continuous suture (SCS) group. Operation-related indicators, bleeding indicators, surgical complications, scar reduction index 1 month after surgery, and the incidence of chronic pelvic pain 6 months after the surgery were observed. Independent sample t-tests and Mann–Whitney U tests were performed for the measurement data, and Pearson Chi-square tests were performed for count data. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results

There was no significant difference in the baseline characteristics between the two groups. All operations were performed under transumbilical single-site laparoscopy without conversion. Compared to the SCS group, the PMS group had earlier postoperative anal exhaust (14.3 ± 6.7 h vs. 19.2 ± 9.6 h, P = 0.002), fewer postoperative hemoglobin drops (7.6 ± 3.7 g/L vs. 11.6 ± 4.3 g/L, P = 0.000), smaller uterine scars (3.7 ± 1.9 cm vs. 5.2 ± 1.8 cm, P = 0.000), and a larger uterine scar reduction index (50.2% vs. 31.0%, P = 0.000) one month after surgery and less chronic pelvic pain 6 months after surgery (2.9% vs. 12.5%, P = 0.016). No difference was found in auxiliary trocar usage, transfusion rate, operation time, hospital stay, or perioperative complications between the two groups.

Conclusion

Seromuscular parallel mattress sutures during myomectomy can prevent pinhole errhysis of the uterine incision, achieve complete serosal and aesthetic incisions, and reduce postoperative chronic pelvic pain. It is effective and feasible to complete a parallel mattress suture during myomectomy via single-site laparoscopy. Further prospective studies are required to determine its efficacy as well as pregnancy outcomes.

Prediction of preoperative intrathoracic adhesions for ipsilateral reoperations: sliding lung sign

Introduction

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for ipsilateral reoperations is controversial, because after the first surgical intervention, pleural adhesions occur frequently in the thoracic cavity and/or chest wall. This study assessed the usefulness of preoperative ultrasonography to reduce the incidence of lung injury at the time of the initial port insertion during secondary ipsilateral VATS.

Materials and methods

This was a retrospective, single-center study. Nine patients who underwent thoracic surgery at Vanvitelli Hospitalfrom September 2019 to February 2022, were scheduled for a second VATS surgeryon ipsilateral lung, because of inconclusive intraoperative histologic examination. All nine patients underwent preoperative ultrasonography to assess the possible presence of pleural adhesions. We evaluated the lung sliding, since the presence of pleural adhesions does not permit to appreciate it.

Statistical analysis

Hard severe adhesions were observed in all nine patients without sliding lung sign (specificity 100%). In this series, the sensitivity, PPV, and NPV of the sliding lung sign were 93%, 100% and 94% respectively.

Results

The presence of the lung respiratory changes can be evaluated as the “sliding lung sign” by chest ultrasonography; we believe that the sliding lung sign might also predict intrathoracic adhesion.

Conclusions

Preoperative detection of pleural adhesions using transthoracic ultrasonography was useful for ipsilateral secondary pulmonary resection patients undergoing VATS. Using preoperative ultrasonography can improve the safety and feasibility of placing the initial port in VATS.

Adhesion-related readmissions after open and laparoscopic colorectal surgery in 16 524 patients

AIM

Colorectal surgery is associated with a high risk of adhesion formation and subsequent complications. Laparoscopic colorectal surgery reduces adhesion formation by 50%; however, the effect on adhesion-related complications is still unknown. This study aims to compare differences in incidence rates of adhesion-related readmissions after laparoscopic and open colorectal surgery.

METHOD

Population data from the Scottish National Health Service were used to identify patients who underwent colorectal surgery between June 2009 and June 2011. Readmissions were registered until December 2017 and categorized as being either directly or possibly related to adhesions, or as reoperations potentially complicated by adhesions. The primary outcome measure was the difference in incidence of directly adhesion-related readmissions between the open and laparoscopic cohort.

RESULTS

Colorectal surgery was performed in 16 524 patients; 4455 (27%) underwent laparoscopic surgery. Patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery were readmitted less frequently for directly adhesion-related complications, 2.4% (95% CI 2.0%-2.8%) versus 7.5% (95% CI 7.1%-7.9%) in the open cohort. Readmissions for possibly adhesion-related complications were less frequent in the laparoscopic cohort, 16.8% (95% CI 15.6%-18.0%) versus 21.7% (95% CI 20.9%-22.5%), as well as reoperations potentially complicated by adhesions, 9.7% (95% CI 8.9%-10.5%) versus 16.9% (95% CI 16.3%-17.5%).

CONCLUSION

Overall, any adhesion-related readmissions occurred in over one in three patients after open colorectal surgery and one in four after laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Compared with open surgery, incidence rates of adhesion-related complications decrease but remain substantial after laparoscopic surgery.

Chemically Modified Hyaluronic Acid for Prevention of Post-Surgical Adhesions: New Aspects of Gel Barriers Physical Profiles

This study was conducted to provide information regarding the chemistry—including structure, synthesis, formulation, and mechanical properties—of two types of chemically modified anti-adhesion gels made of hyaluronic acid. Gel A (Hyalobarrier®) and gels B and C (HyaRegen® and MetaRegen®) that are used in postsurgical adhesion prevention. To date, little information is available on their physicochemical attributes. This information is necessary in order to understand the differences in their in vivo behavior. Methods: Comparative analyses were conducted under laboratory-controlled conditions, including measuring the shear viscosity, storage modulus G’, peel strength, and extrusion forces. Results: All polymers exhibited viscoelastic behavior. Polymer A showed a shear viscosity approximately three times larger than both polymers B and C (114 Pa.s−1 vs. 36–38 Pa.s−1) over the shear-rate range measured, indicating a possible better ability to resist flows and potentially remain in place at the site of application in vivo. The results of storage modulus (G’) measurements showed 100 Pa for polymer A and 16 Pa and 20 Pa for polymers B and C, respectively. This translated into a weaker elastic behavior for gels B and C, and a lower ability to resist sudden deformation. The peel test results showed a rupture strength of 72 mN (0.016 lbf) for polymer A, 39.6 mN (0.0089 lbf) for polymer B, and 38.3 mN (0.0086 lbf) for polymers C, indicating possible higher adhesive properties for polymer A. Tests measuring the extrudability of the hyaluronic acid gels in their commercial syringes showed an average extrusion force of 20 N (4.5 lbf) for polymer A, 28 N (6.33 lbf) for polymer B, and 17 N (3.79 lbf) for polymer C. Conclusions: Modified anti-adhesion gels made of hyaluronic acid differed in mechanical properties and concentration. Further clinical studies are needed to confirm whether these differences make one polymer easier to apply during surgery and more likely to stay in place longer after in vivo application, and to determine which is potentially superior in terms of preventing adhesions.

Prevention of Postsurgical Abdominal Adhesion Using Electrospun TPU Nanofibers in Rat Model

Intra-abdominal adhesions following surgery are a challenging problem in surgical practice. This study fabricated different thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanofibers with different average diameters using the electrospinning method. The conditions were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) analysis. A static tensile test was applied using a strength testing device to assess the mechanical properties of the electrospun scaffolds. By changing the effective electrospinning parameters, the best quality of nanofibers could be achieved with the lowest bead numbers. The electrospun nanofibers were evaluated in vivo using a rat cecal abrasion model. The macroscopic evaluation and the microscopic study, including the degree of adhesion and inflammation, were investigated after three and five weeks. The resultant electrospun TPU nanofibers had diameters ranging from about 200 to 1000 nm. The diameters and morphology of the nanofibers were significantly affected by the concentration of polymer. Uniform TPU nanofibers without beads could be prepared by electrospinning through reasonable control of the process concentration. These nanofibers' biodegradability and antibacterial properties were investigated by weight loss measurement and microdilution methods, respectively. The purpose of this study was to provide electrospun nanofibers having biodegradability and antibacterial properties that prevent any adhesions or inflammation after pelvic and abdominal surgeries. The in vivo experiments revealed that electrospun TPU nanofibers reduced the degree of abdominal adhesions. The histopathological study confirmed only a small extent of inflammatory cell infiltration in the 8% and 10% TPU. Conclusively, nanofibers containing 8% TPU significantly decreased the incidence and severity of postsurgical adhesions, and it is expected to be used in clinical applications in the future.

Feasibility of the Gastrografin Challenge for Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction

Purpose: This retrospective study investigated the feasibility, diagnostic, and therapeutic advantages of the gastrografin challenge on patients with adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO). Methods: There were 125 patients reviewed who were admitted to the Department of General Surgery at a single institution (September 2018 to August 2019) with a diagnosis related to ASBO. The study population included 100 patients (114 cases) who had received initial conservative management. Patient characteristics and operation rates were compared between the gastrografin challenge success group and failure group, and operation rates and length of hospital stay were compared between the gastrografin challenge group and “non-challenge” group. Results: During the study period, 21 patients with ASBO underwent the gastrografin challenge. The challenge was successful in 17 patients where the bowel obstruction was resolved without the need for surgery. Among patients who failed the challenge, 2 patients underwent adhesiolysis and 2 patients were able to progress their diet avoiding surgery. In patients who underwent surgery (<i>n</i> = 2), the length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the gastrografin challenge group compared with the “non-challenge” group sub analysis (<i>n</i> = 13 cases; 10.5 vs. 20 days, <i>p</i> = 0.038), indicating that the gastrografin challenge assisted rapid decision-making for surgery. No adverse events were reported for the 21 gastrografin challenges. Conclusion: In patients with ASBO, the gastrografin challenge is an accurate, safe method to determine the need for surgery. In addition, the gastrografin challenge may reduce the length of stay in patients who required surgery for ASBO resolution.

Post-Surgical Peritoneal Scarring and Key Molecular Mechanisms

Post-surgical adhesions are internal scar tissue and a major health and economic burden. Adhesions affect and involve the peritoneal lining of the abdominal cavity, which consists of a continuous mesothelial covering of the cavity wall and majority of internal organs. Our understanding of the full pathophysiology of adhesion formation is limited by the fact that the mechanisms regulating normal serosal repair and regeneration of the mesothelial layer are still being elucidated. Emerging evidence suggests that mesothelial cells do not simply form a passive barrier but perform a wide range of important regulatory functions including maintaining a healthy peritoneal homeostasis as well as orchestrating events leading to normal repair or pathological outcomes following injury. Here, we summarise recent advances in our understanding of serosal repair and adhesion formation with an emphasis on molecular mechanisms and novel gene expression signatures associated with these processes. We discuss changes in mesothelial biomolecular marker expression during peritoneal development, which may help, in part, to explain findings in adults from lineage tracing studies using experimental adhesion models. Lastly, we highlight examples of where local tissue specialisation may determine a particular response of peritoneal cells to injury.

Efficacy and safety of Seprafilm for preventing intestinal obstruction after gastrointestinal neoplasms surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

It was controversial that hyaluronate-carboxy-methylcellulose-based membrane (Seprafilm) could prevent intestinal obstruction after gastrointestinal neoplasms operation. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Seprafilm in preventing postoperative intestinal obstruction of gastrointestinal neoplasms patients.

METHODS

A systematic research of multiple databases was performed to identify relevant studies, and the studies satisfying the inclusion criteria were included. Risk ratio (RR), weighted mean difference (WMD), and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using RevMan 5.3.

RESULTS

2937 patients from 10 studies who were enrolled in this meta-analysis were divided into the Seprafilm group (n = 1334) and the control group (n = 1603). The Seprafilm group had lower incidence of intestinal obstruction (RR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.38-0.70; p < .0001), reoperation rates due to intestinal obstruction (RR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.28 - 0.80; p = .005), incidence of overall complications (RR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.61-0.97; p = .03) and higher serum creatinine on postoperative day 5 (WMD, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.05-0.25; p = .003). There were no differences regarding time to intestinal obstruction after operation, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, white blood cell count results on day 5 and 7, serum creatinine on day 7, hospital stay, and incidence of intra-abdominal infection, wound infection, anastomotic leakage between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis provided valuable evidence-based support for the efficacy and safety of Seprafilm in preventing postoperative intestinal obstruction of gastrointestinal neoplasms patients. However, more multicenter randomized controlled trials from different countries are needed.

Advancement of Biomaterial-Based Postoperative Adhesion Barriers

Postoperative peritoneal adhesion (PPA) is a prevalent incidence that generally happens during the healing process of traumatized tissues. It causes multiple severe complications such as intestinal obstruction, chronic abdominal pain, and female infertility. To prevent PPA, several antiadhesion materials and drug delivery systems composed of biomaterials are used clinically, and clinical antiadhesive is one of the important applications nowadays. In addition to several commercially available materials, like film, spray, injectable hydrogel, powder, or solution type have been energetically studied based on natural and synthetic biomaterials such as alginate, hyaluronan, cellulose, starch, chondroitin sulfate, polyethylene glycol, polylactic acid, etc. Moreover, many kinds of animal adhesion models, such as cecum abrasion models and unitary horn models, are developed to evaluate new materials' efficacy. A new animal adhesion model based on hepatectomy and conventional animal adhesion models is recently developed and a new adhesion barrier by this new model is also developed. In summary, many kinds of materials and animal models are studied; thus, it is quite important to overview this field's current progress. Here, PPA is reviewed in terms of the species of biomaterials and animal models and several problems to be solved to develop better antiadhesion materials in the future are discussed.

Small Bowel Obstruction: Clinical Presentation and Surgical Outcomes at Jimma University Medical Centre in Southwest Ethiopia

Background

The mortality from small bowel obstruction (SBO) range between 2% and 8% globally, and the proper management of it is a clinical challenge for surgeons. In Africa, intestinal obstruction accounts for a great proportion of morbidity, and in Ethiopia it ranges from 20–56%.

Aims

The aim of this study was to assess the pattern of disease and management outcomes among patient admitted to the surgical ward at Jimma Medical Center in Jimma, Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted over 5–25 November 2019. Data were entered in Epi-data 3.1 and exported to SPSS v23 for analysis. Logistic regression was undertaken to analyse the association between dependent and independent variables, and P-values below 0.05 at 95% CI were considered indicative of a statistically significant association.

Results

The study revealed that patient outcomes in SBO were significantly associated with people aged over 60 years, a prolonged hospital stay of more than 14 days, septic shock complications and previous history of congestive heart failure.

Conclusions

SBO was shown to be an issue of major concern, with major aetiologies related to volvulus, adhesions, intussusception and hernia.

Prevention of intra-abdominal adhesions by a hyaluronic acid gel; an experimental study in rats

BACKGROUND

In 80% to 90% of the patients intra-abdominal adhesions occur after abdominal surgery, which can cause small-bowel obstruction, chronic abdominal pain, female infertility and difficulty during reoperation. A novel crosslinked hyaluronic acid gel is evaluated regarding its anti-adhesive capacities in an ischemic button model in rats.

METHOD

51 adult, male Wistar rats from a registered breeder, received eight ischemic buttons each and were treated with hyaluronic acid gel (HA, HyaRegen^©), hyaluronic acid carboxymethylcellulose (HA-CMC, Seprafilm^©) or no anti-adhesive barrier. After 14 days, the animals were sacrificed and adhesions were scored macroscopically. The number of buttons and organs involved in adhesions were recorded. Per animal, one button with adhesions and one without adhesions was explanted for qPCR analysis. Mann-Whitney U, Fisher's exact and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used for data analysis. A p-value of 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

Macroscopic evaluation of adhesion formation did not differ between the groups. The number of organs involved in adhesions in the HA gel group was significantly lower compared to HA-CMC (p = .041) and the control group (p = .012). A significantly, 1.36-fold higher clec10a (p = 0.25), 1.80-fold higher cd163 (p = 0.003) and 5.14-fold higher mmp1 expression (p = 0.028) was found in ischemic buttons with adhesions compared to buttons without adhesions.

CONCLUSION

HA gel application reduces the number of organs involved in adhesions in an ischemic button model, but no overall reduction in adhesion formation was encountered. Macrophage subtype 2 polarization and high mmp1 expression are associated with adhesion formation. Further investigation is needed in the exact pathophysiologic process of adhesion formation and the role of macrophage polarization.

Utility of the sliding lung sign for the prediction of preoperative intrathoracic adhesions

Background

To assess the potential of the ultrasonographic sliding lung sign to detect severe intrathoracic adhesions before surgery.

Methods

This was a prospective, single-center, observational study including all patients aged 20-89 years undergoing elective thoracic surgery. Patients with pneumothorax, pyothorax, hemothorax, chylothorax, and hydrothorax were excluded. We recorded the ultrasound sliding lung sign, surgical characteristics, and follow-up parameters: past medical history, respiratory function, chest X-ray findings, and computed tomography (CT) findings. Severe intrathoracic adhesion was defined as the need for adhesiolysis requiring more than 30 minutes.

Results

A total of 168 patients consented to participate. All 15 patients without the sliding lung sign had hard severe adhesions [specificity 100%, sensitivity 88.2%, positive predictive value (PPV) 100%, negative predictive value (NPV) 98.7%, and area under curve (AUC) 0.94]. There were two false-negative results, both of which were soft adhesions. Although blunting of the costophrenic (CP) angle, CT findings, past medical history, and restrictive lung disease were identified as significant risk factors of severe intrathoracic adhesion, all areas under the curve were low (0.71, 0.71, 0.69, 0.61, respectively). Thoracotomy frequency, intraoperative bleeding, operative time, and postoperative hospitalization were significantly greater in these patients than in those with non-severe adhesions.

Conclusions

The ultrasound sliding lung sign could be used to predict severe intrathoracic adhesions before surgery. Preoperative confirmation of the ultrasound sliding lung sign is important for planning surgical approaches and implementing appropriate safety management.

Adhesion-related readmissions after open and laparoscopic surgery: a retrospective cohort study (SCAR update)

BACKGROUND

Adhesions are the most common driver of long-term morbidity after abdominal surgery. Although laparoscopy can reduce adhesion formation, the effect of minimally invasive surgery on long-term adhesion-related morbidity remains unknown. We aimed to assess the impact of laparoscopy on adhesion-related readmissions in a population-based cohort.

METHODS

We did a retrospective cohort study of patients of any age who had abdominal or pelvic surgery done using laparoscopic or open approaches between June 1, 2009, and June 30, 2011, using validated population data from the Scottish National Health Service. All patients who had surgery were followed up until Dec 31, 2017. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of hospital readmissions directly related to adhesions in the laparoscopic and open surgery cohorts at 5 years. Readmissions were categorised as directly related to adhesions, possibly related to adhesions, and readmissions for an operation that was potentially complicated by adhesions. We did subgroup analyses of readmissions by anatomical site of surgery and used Kaplan-Meier analyses to assess differences in survival across subgroups. We used multivariable Cox-regression analysis to determine whether surgical approach was an independent and significant risk factor for adhesion-related readmissions.

FINDINGS

Between June 1, 2009, and June 30, 2011, 72 270 patients had an index abdominal or pelvic surgery, of whom 21 519 (29·8%) had laparoscopic index surgery and 50 751 (70·2%) had open surgery. Of the 72 270 patients who had surgery, 2527 patients (3·5%) were readmitted within 5 years of surgery for disorders directly related to adhesions, 12 687 (17·6%) for disorders possibly related to adhesions, and 9436 (13·1%) for operations potentially complicated by adhesions. Of the 21 519 patients who had laparoscopic surgery, 359 (1·7% [95% CI 1·5-1·9]) were readmitted for disorders directly related to adhesions compared with 2168 (4·3% [4·1-4·5]) of 50 751 patients in the open surgery cohort (p<0·0001). 3443 (16·0% [15·6-16·4]) of 21 519 patients in the laparoscopic surgery cohort were readmitted for disorders possibly related to adhesions compared with 9244 (18·2% [17·8-18·6]) of 50 751 patients in the open surgery cohort (p<0·005). In multivariate analyses, laparoscopy reduced the risk of directly related readmissions by 32% (hazard ratio [HR] 0·68, 95% CI 0·60-0·77), and of possibly related readmissions by 11% (HR 0·89, 0·85-0·94) compared with open surgery. Procedure type, malignancy, sex, and age were also independently associated with risk of adhesion-related readmissions.

INTERPRETATION

Laparoscopic surgery reduces the incidence of adhesion-related readmissions. However, the overall burden of readmissions associated with adhesions remains high. With further increases in the use of laparoscopic surgery expected in the future, the effect at the population level might become larger. Further steps remain necessary to reduce the incidence of adhesion-related postsurgical complications.

FUNDING

Dutch Adhesion Group and Nordic Pharma.

Cost-effectiveness of the prevention of adhesions and adhesive small bowel obstruction after colorectal surgery with adhesion barriers: a modelling study

Background

Adhesion barriers have proven to reduce adhesion-related complications in colorectal surgery. However, barriers are seldom applied. The aim of this study was to determine the cost-effectiveness of adhesion barriers in colorectal surgery.

Methods

A decision-tree model was developed to compare cost-effectiveness of no adhesion barrier with the use of an adhesion barrier in open and laparoscopic surgery. Outcomes were incidence of clinical consequences of adhesions, direct healthcare costs, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio per adhesion prevented. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed.

Results

Adhesion barriers reduce adhesion incidence and incidence of adhesive small bowel obstruction in open and laparoscopic surgery. Adhesion barriers in open surgery reduce costs compared to no adhesion barrier ($4376 versus $4482). Using an adhesion barrier in laparoscopic procedures increases costs by $162 ($4482 versus $4320). The ICER in the laparoscopic cohort was $123. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed 66% and 41% probabilities of an adhesion barrier reducing costs for open and laparoscopic colorectal surgery, respectively.

Conclusion

The use of adhesion barriers in open colorectal surgery is cost-effective in preventing adhesion-related problems. In laparoscopic colorectal surgery, an adhesion barrier is effective at low costs.