Adhesive Disease

Adhesions and hysterectomy

Postoperative adhesions present a number of risks to patients undergoing a total abdominal hysterectomy, including chronic pelvic pain and small bowel obstruction.1,2 As reported in one study, 67% of women admitted for small bowel obstruction had had a previous abdominal hysterectomy. Adhesions were present in 100% of these postsurgical bowel obstruction cases.3

Adhesions and myomectomy

Adhesions may occur in up to 93% of patients following abdominopelvic laparotomy.4 In a myomectomy, where the primary goal is restoration of fertility, adhesions are of particular concern. Up to 40% of secondary infertility cases are the result of adhesions.5 Uterine adhesions can also lead to chronic pelvic pain, and may complicate future surgeries.1,6,7 A study reported that 94% of patients with at least one anterior uterine incision had adhesions to the anterior uterus at second-look laparoscopy.8

Indication
Seprafilm® Adhesion Barrier is indicated for the reduction of post-surgical adhesions in patients undergoing abdominal or pelvic laparotomy.

Important Safety Information
Seprafilm should not be wrapped around an intestinal anastomosis as such usage may result in increased anastomotic leak related events, such as abscess or peritonitis. The safety and effectiveness of Seprafilm has not been established in combination with other adhesion prevention products and/or in surgical procedures not within the abdominopelvic cavity. The safety and effectiveness of Seprafilm has also not been evaluated in cases of pregnancy, malignancy, or frank infection. The type and frequency of adverse events reported are consistent with events typically seen following abdominopelvic surgery when used as directed.

Please see full prescribing information.

What is SEPRAFILM®?

Discover the science behind SEPRAFILM Adhesion Barrier.

The science

References:  1. Keltz MD, Gera PS, Olive DL. Prospective randomized trial of right-sided paracolic adhesiolysis for chronic pelvic pain. J Soc Laparoendosc Surg. 2006;10:443-446.  2. Ellis H, Moran BJ, Thompson JN, et al. Adhesion-related hospital readmissions after abdominal and pelvic surgery: a retrospective cohort study. Lancet. 1999;353:1476-1480.  3. Ratcliff JB, Kapernick P, Brooks GG, Dunnihoo DR. Small bowel obstruction and previous gynecologic surgery. South Med J. 1983;76:1349-1350, 1360.  4. Menzies D, Ellis H. Intestinal obstruction from adhesions—how big is the problem? Ann Royal Coll Surg Engl. 1990;72:60-63.  5. DeWilde RL, Trew G; for Expert Adhesions Working Party of the European Society of Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE). Postoperative abdominal adhesions and their prevention in gynaecological surgery. Expert consensus position. Gynecol Surg. 2007;4:161-168.  6. Morales KJ, Gordon MC, Bates GW Jr. Postcesarean delivery adhesions associated with delayed delivery of infant. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2007;196(online):461.e1-461.e6.  7. Tulandi T, Agdi M, Zarei A, Miner L, Sikirica V. Adhesion development and morbidity after repeat cesarean delivery. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2009;201(online):56.e1-56.e6.  8. Diamond MP. Reduction of adhesions after uterine myomectomy by Seprafilm membrane (HAL-F): a blinded, prospective, randomized, multicenter clinical study. Fertil Sterility. 1996;66:904-910.