A hydrogel for adhesion prevention: characterization and efficacy study in a rabbit uterus model

Abstract

Objective: Postoperative peritoneal adhesions following gynaecological surgery remain a clinically relevant problem. One approach to prevent adhesion formation is to apply physical barriers such as hydrogels.

Study design: A physically crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol and carboxymethylcellulose (PVA/CMC) hydrogel (A-Part) was characterized in vitro. Three different traumatization methods were evaluated in a rabbit uterine study. To determine its anti-adhesion efficacy, the hydrogel was first tested in an in vivo pilot study and then in a larger trial to compare it with icodextrin 4% solution (Adept) and controls.

Results: Rheological measurements showed an increased elasticity of the hydrogel after freezing. In vivo experiments revealed a clear reduction in incidence, extent and severity of adhesions compared to the icodextrin 4% solution and the untreated control group.

Conclusions: These results warrant further investigation of the PVA/CMC A-Part hydrogel in clinical trials focused on gynaecological procedures.