D. Latha1, S. R. Shyam Sundar
BACKGROUND
Postoperative adhesions form one of the most common complication following abdominopelvic surgeries. The consequence of adhesion leads to lifelong morbidity and form major burden in surgeons operating for the second time. Few complications of adhesions include postoperative adhesive colic, bowel obstruction and female infertility. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Seprafilm as adhesion barrier among patients undergoing elective laparotomy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
All surgical inpatients of Government Rajaji Hospital during the study period who are more than 18 years admitted in surgical wards and planned for elective/emergency laparotomy will be recruited for the study after obtaining valid consent. Patients will be randomly allotted into study and control groups. Patients under the study group will be subjected to placement of Seprafilm. Contrast-enhanced computerised tomogram will be performed for all the patients (both study and control) during 20th postoperative day to evaluate the presence of intraperitoneal adhesions.
RESULTS
30 cases in study group were subjected to the placement of Seprafilm after obtaining prior written informed consent explaining the possible complications in detail. Out of 30 patients, only 4 patients developed minimal adhesions as compared to 16 patients who developed adhesions in the control group as evident by the 20th day CT.
CONCLUSION
Formation of adhesions has been attributed to the morbidity of patients in terms of hospital stay and frequent readmissions along with development of complications like bowel obstruction, chronic pain and certain times vascular compromise. This study conducted in the Department of General Surgery in Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai, explains the usefulness and effectiveness of Seprafilm as an adhesive barrier in abdominopelvic surgery.
