Preventing intra-abdominal adhesions with a sodium hyaluronate carboxymethylcellulose membrane enabled visualization of hepatic microcirculation

We aimed to evaluate whether using sodium hyaluronate carboxymethylcellulose membrane (Seprafilm™) can facilitate assessment of hepatic microcirculation via orthogonal polarization spectroscopy (OPS) by preventing intra-abdominal adhesions and whether Seprafilm™ as a foreign material can evoke local or systemic inflammatory reactions. After the right median hepatic vein was ligated, rats received either placement of Seprafilm™ or untreated with observation of 1 or 4 weeks (n = 6/group). Hepatic microcirculation was visualized. Systemic and local inflammatory reactions were evaluated by blood count, histology and immunohistochemical staining for CD68. Seprafilm™ significantly (P < 0.05) prevented intra-abdominal adhesion formation compared to non-Seprafilm™ groups (adhesion score: 0 vs 1.3 ± 0.5 at POW1 and 0.3 ± 0.5 vs 3.5 ± 1.4 at POW4). Placement of Seprafilm™ provided sufficient liver surface for acquisition of OPS videos during the harvest procedure. Adhesiolysis in non-Seprafilm™ groups prevented visualization of hepatic microcirculation. A severe local foreign body reaction with formation of a “fibrin-like” membrane containing CD68-positive inflammatory histiocytic cells and mesothelial cells was observed in Seprafilm™ groups even at POW4. Use of Seprafilm™ conferred visualization of hepatic microcirculation after long term observation in experimental setting. In clinical situation, we would suggest being very cautious in immuno-compromised patients because of an ongoing local foreign body reaction caused by Seprafilm™.