MURINE PERITONEAL INJURY AND DE NOVO ADHESION FORMATION CAUSED BY OXIDIZED-REGENERATED CELLULOSE (INTERCEED (TC7)) BUT NOT EXPANDED POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE (GORE-TEX SURGICAL MEMBRANE)

Study Objective: To evaluate the impact of the materials contained in the available adhesion prevention barriers on the peritoneum. Study Design, Setting, Patients: A murine paradigm was used, placing oxidized-regenerated cellulose (Interceed [TC7]) and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE; Gore-Tex Surgical Membrane) in the peritoneal cavity for intervals up to 14 days. Interventions and Main Outcome Measures: The appearance of the peritoneum on scanning and transmission electron microscopy and the presence of de novo adhesions were the end-points used. Results: Oxidized-regenerated cellulose caused localized sloughing of the mesothelial cell layer and leukocyte infiltration of the deeper tissue leading to the formation of adhesions to the bowel and liver in 58% of the animals. The surface of the oxidized-regenerated cellulose-injured peritoneum healed in 5 to 7 days. Neither peritoneal injury nor adhesions were noted in sham-operated animals or animals with PTFE. Conclusions: Oxidized-regenerated cellulose but not PTFE has a localized injurious effect on the peritoneum of the mouse, resulting in de novo adhesions. The impact of the barrier material itself on normal peritoneum may be an important consideration in designing surgical barriers for the prevention of postoperative adhesions.