Laparoscopic Adhesiolysis and Placement of Seprafilm™: A New Technique and Novel Approach to Patients with Intractable Abdominal Pain

Abstract

Patients who suffer from chronic abdominal pain as a result of postoperative adhesion formation are challenging to treat. Many surgeons argue that operative treatment of these patients exacerbates symptoms because of the continued adhesion formation following each procedure. Seprafilm™ (Genzyme, Tucker, GA, USA), a bioresorbable membrane of sodium hyaluronate and carboxymethylcellulose, and laparoscopic surgery have both been shown to significantly decrease postoperative adhesion formation. Although the utility of laparoscopy is controversial in the treatment of these patients, the combination of laparoscopy and Seprafilm can provide excellent relief in this difficult patient population. We report a new technique, laparoscopic adhesiolysis and Seprafilm placement, for patients with intractable abdominal pain secondary to adhesions.