Clinical observation on prevention of peritoneal cavity adhesions with sodium hyaluronate during laparotomy

Objective To investigate the efficacy of sodium hyaluronate on reducing adhesions in patients undergoing peritoneal cavity surgery. Methods Peritoneum and the surface of the related organs was coated with 3～15 ml sodium hyaluronate gel before closing the peritoneal cavity. Findings on 23 reoperations out of 1 360 sessions of primary abdominal surgery with sodium hyaluronate were compared with that of 26 reoperations without the use of sodium hyaluronate in their first episode of laparotomy during the same period. Results The severity of adhesion was graded as 4 degrees. In treatment group, adhesion Ⅰ°,Ⅱ°,Ⅲ°,Ⅳ° were in 11,9,3 and 0 cases, respectively. Compared with adhesion Ⅰ°,Ⅱ°,Ⅲ°,Ⅳ° in 1,5,17 and 3 cases in control group,respectively( P 0.01). Conclusions These data suggest that sodium hyaluronate is effective in the prevention of adhesion in patients undergoing abdominal surgery.