Use of fibrin adhesive to reduce post-surgical adhesion reformation in rabbits

Following surgery on fallopian tubes, the development of adhesions is a natural consequence of wound healing and may result in infertility. Using a rabbit model, we evaluated the anti-adhesive properties of a sponge-like equine collagen sheet (TachoComb), which is coated on one side with human fibrinogen and bovine thrombin. TachoComb is applied by affixing the sheet over the area of perforation or bleeding and acts as a haemostatic agent, capable of sealing perforations to prevent leakage. In our rabbit model, adhesions were induced by mechanical and chemical irritants during laparotomy. After a 1-month recovery period, adhesions were lysed using microsurgical techniques and TachoComb, or physiological saline applied. Evaluation of adhesion reformation was determined after a minimum of 10 days. TachoComb significantly reduced the area of adhesion reformation compared with rabbits treated using physiological saline only. Our study demonstrated that TachoComb is effective not only as a haemostatic agent, but is also capable of reducing adhesion reformation.