Chemistry:Hyalobarrier

Hyalobarrier is a substance to keep tissue apart post surgery and therefore prevent adhesions. It contains autocross-linked hyaluronan. Highly viscous due to condensation. Hyaluronan is present in cartilage and skin hence there is a natural metabolic pathway for it. This gel is used to separate organs and tissue after surgery. Scientific documentation so far covers the gynaecology speciality. IE Laparoscopic surgery, hysteroscopy/hysteroscopic surgery but also open surgery. According to data in a Cochrane collaboration review barrier agents may be a little more effective in preventing adhesions than no intervention. The Cochrane report also states that the incidence of postsurgical adhesions is as high as 50 to 100%. In a recent review by C Sutton (University of Surrey, Guilford UK), it is stated that Hyalobarrier is the only anti adhesive substance that has published data for intrauterine use.

Additional information

• Laparoscopy
• Asherman's syndrome

References

• "Reduction of postoperative adhesions with an auto-crosslinked hyaluronan gel in gynaecological laparoscopic surgery: a blinded, controlled, randomized, multicentre study". Hum. Reprod. 21 (5): 1248–54. May 2006. doi:10.1093/humrep/dei488. PMID 16439505.