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Reduction of de novo postsurgical adhesions by intraoperative precoating with Sepracoat (HAL-C) solution: a
1Hutzel Hospital, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA.
Insights
Sepracoat significantly reduced post-gynecologic surgery adhesions compared to placebo. This adhesion barrier was safe and effective in preventing de novo adhesion formation, extent, and severity.
Area of Science:
- Gynecologic Surgery
- Adhesion Prevention
- Surgical Innovation
Background:
- Post-surgical adhesions are a common complication following gynecologic laparotomy.
- Adhesions can lead to significant morbidity, including pain and infertility.
- Effective strategies to prevent adhesion formation are crucial in gynecologic surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Sepracoat in minimizing de novo adhesion formation after gynecologic laparotomy.
- To assess the impact of Sepracoat on adhesion incidence, severity, and extent at indirectly traumatized sites.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled, multicenter study.
- 245 women undergoing gynecologic laparotomy received either Sepracoat or placebo.
- Adhesions were assessed via second-look laparoscopy approximately 40 days post-surgery.
Main Results:
- Sepracoat demonstrated a significantly lower incidence of de novo adhesions compared to placebo.
- The treatment group showed reduced adhesion extent and severity.
- Sepracoat exhibited a safety profile comparable to placebo.
Conclusions:
- Sepracoat is a safe and effective option for reducing de novo adhesions following gynecologic laparotomy.
- The use of Sepracoat can mitigate the negative consequences associated with post-surgical adhesions.
Objective:
To assess the efficacy and safety of Sepracoat (HAL-C; Genzyme Corporation, Cambridge, MA) solution in reducing the incidence, severity, and extent of de novo adhesion formation at sites without direct surgical trauma or adhesiolysis at the time of gynecologic laparotomy.
Design:
Prospective, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled multicenter study. Patients underwent gynecologic procedures via laparotomy; approximately 40 days later, surgeons assessed their adhesions during second-look laparoscopy.
Setting:
Twenty-three North American institutions.
Patient(S):
Two hundred seventy-seven women for safety evaluations; 245 women for efficacy studies.
Intervention(S):
Intraoperative serosal coating with Sepracoat (treatment) or phosphate-buffered saline (placebo) after opening of the abdominal cavity, after irrigation or every 30 minutes during surgery, and at the completion of surgery.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
Incidence, severity, and extent of de novo adhesions to 23 intraabdominal sites.
Result(S):
The Sepracoat group had a significantly lower incidence of de novo adhesions than the placebo group as assessed by the proportion of sites involved (0.23 +/- 0.02 versus 0.30 +/- 0.02, respectively) and the percentage of patients without de novo adhesions (13.1% versus 4.6%, respectively), as well as significantly reduced adhesion extent and severity. Sepracoat was well tolerated, with a safety profile nearly identical to that of the placebo.
Conclusion(S):
Sepracoat was significantly more effective than placebo and was safe in reducing the incidence, extent, and severity of de novo adhesions to multiple sites indirectly traumatized by gynecologic surgery via laparotomy.

