Hyaluronic acid/carboxymethylcellulose membrane surrounding an intraperitoneal or subcutaneous jejunojejunostomy in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the healing of intra-abdominal and extra-abdominal jejunal anastomoses that were surrounded by a hyaluronic acid/carboxymethylcellulose membrane (Seprafilm) in rats. DESIGN: Laboratory study. SETTING: University hospital, The Netherlands. ANIMALS: 56 male Wistar rats. INTERVENTIONS: 28 rats had jejunojejunostomies placed subcutaneously and 28 had them placed intra-abdominally. Half of each group of anastomoses were surrounded by Seprafilm. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: After 3 or 7 days, the anastomoses were tested for bursting pressure, tensile strength, and hydroxyproline concentrations. RESULTS: There were numerous strong adhesions around the anastomoses in the subcutaneous position and Seprafilm had no influence on their extent. Bursting pressure and hydroxyproline concentrations were not affected by position or Seprafilm treatment. Tensile strength was significantly higher in the subcutaneous position (p < 0.01), but was unaffected by Seprafilm. CONCLUSION: Anastomotic healing was not impaired in the subcutaneous or intraperitoneal position in this model. Seprafilm had no effect on the anastomosis.