Adhesions may complicate future surgeries for trauma patients.

Adhesions are a common consequence of abdominal surgery, forming in up to 93% of patients who undergo an abdominal laparotomy.1  Trauma patients may undergo a series of restorative abdominal surgeries, which may be increasingly complicated by the presence of adhesions. In addition, the potential for adhesive small bowel obstruction is relatively high due to the extent of tissue manipulation.2  Moreover, patients who are admitted for violent trauma may be readmitted for future surgery that may be complicated by the presence of adhesions.

The effects of adhesions on subsequent surgery may include

  • Increased procedure and reentry time3-5
  • Difficulty differentiating and accessing tissue planes3 
  • Increased risk of inadvertent enterotomy7

For patients, the consequences of adhesions can be serious. Adhesions account for up to

  • 75% of small bowel obstructions2 
  • 48% of chronic pelvic pain cases8

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.

References

  1. Menzies D, Ellis H. Intestinal obstruction from adhesions—how big is the problem? Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 1990;72(1):60-63.
  2. Scovill WA. Small bowel obstruction. In: Cameron JL, ed. Current Therapy in Surgery. 5th ed: St Louis, MO: Mosby; 1995:100-104.
  3. Ellis H, Moran BJ, Thompson JN, et al. Adhesion-related hospital readmissions after abdominal and pelvic surgery: a retrospective cohort study. Lancet. 1999;353(9163):1476-1480.
  4. Morales KJ, Gordon MC, Bates GW Jr. Postcesarean delivery adhesions associated with delayed delivery of infant. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2007;196(5):461.e1-461.e6.
  5. Tulandi T, Agdi M, Zarei A, Miner L, Sikirica V. Adhesion development and morbidity after repeat cesarean delivery. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2009;201(1):56.e1-56.e6.
  6. Nichols DH, Clarke-Pearson DL, eds. Gynecologic, Obstetric, and Related Surgery. 2nd ed. St Louis, MO: Mosby; 2000.
  7. van der Krabben AA, Dijkstra FR, Nieuwenhuijzen M, Reijnen MMPJ, Schaapveld M, van Goor H. Morbidity and mortality of inadvertent enterotomy during adhesiotomy. Br J Surg. 2000;87(4):467-471.
  8. Growri (2001) Chronic Pelvic Pain Saudi Med J.pdf

Applying Seprafilm

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