Major abdominal surgery often results in major adhesions.

Adhesions, or internal scars, are common after open colorectal and abdominal surgery.

In one Study….

Colorectal surgery, or surgery on the bowels, is used to treat diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, small bowel obstruction, colon cancer, and rectal cancer. Other types of abdominal surgery include weight-loss surgery; hernia repair; liver, pancreatic, or stomach cancer surgery; and adhesiolysis, or surgery to remove adhesions.

Adhesions after colorectal or abdominal surgery can lead to

  • Bowel obstruction2
  • Infertility3
  • Chronic pelvic pain4
  • Problems during future surgeries or treatments5-7

Help prevent adhesions with Seprafilm®.

Seprafilm is a clear, thin film that’s applied during surgery. It separates organs and body tissues as they heal. This helps prevent adhesions from forming. Seprafilm stays in place for 7 days—the time during which adhesions would form—and then is absorbed and eliminated naturally by your body.8 Learn more 

If you’re going to have open abdominal surgery, ask your doctor if Seprafilm may be right for you.

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. 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.
  3. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Abdominal Adhesions. Bethesda, MD: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, US Dept of Health and Human Services; 2009.
  4. Keltz MD, Gera PS, Olive DL. Prospective randomized trial of right-sided paracolic adhesiolysis for chronic pelvic pain. J Soc Laparoendosc Surg. 2006;10(4):443-446.
  5. 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.
  6. Nichols DH, Clarke-Pearson DL, eds. Gynecologic, Obstetric, and Related Surgery. 2nd ed. St Louis, MO: Mosby; 2000.
  7. Eifel PJ. Radiation therapy. In: Berek JS, Hacker NF, eds. Practical Gynecologic Oncology, 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2004: 119-161.
  8. Seprafilm Adhesion Barrier [package insert]. Cambridge, MA: Genzyme Biosurgery; 2008.

Aimee’s story

Aimee lived adhesions for years. Hear about her struggle—and how Seprafilm helped.

See her story

Talk with your doctor.

It’s important to discuss adhesions—and what can be done to help prevent them—before your surgery.

Start the conversation