How to Prevent Pelvic Adhesions With Interceed

Pelvic surgeries, like Cesarean sections, tubal surgeries, myomectomies, open laparatomies, adhesiolyses and ovarian surgeries, may cause skin with scar tissue in the abdominal cavity to stick to pelvic or abdominal organs after surgery. This sticking of tissue to organs is referred to medically as a pelvic adhesion. According to Gynecare, 75 percent of patients who have ovarian surgery experience pelvic adhesions. The Interceed barrier has been proven clinically to reduce this incidence by 47 percent. The application of the Interceed barrier can only be done by a surgeon as it is an internal procedure.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Surgical irrigating fluid

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Instructions

• 1

  Cut the Interceed barrier to the size of the surgical site. Interceed should be applied immediately before closure of the surgical site.

• 2

  Apply the Interceed barrier in a single layer to surgical scar sites. Ensure the barrier is completely dry. If it comes in contact with blood, discard immediately as this may promote adhesion instead of preventing it. Do not cover two areas, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes, with one layer of Interceed because this may also cause the two sites to stick together. The barrier attaches well to thin layers of cell membranes, preventing the need for sutures.

• 3

  Moisten the Interceed barrier with one to two ml of surgical irrigation fluid to ensure adherence. If the barrier accidentally floats off during the moistening process, it should be immediately discarded and replaced with a new dry one. Hold the Interceed barrier in place. This action will also ensure adherence of the barrier to the scarred tissue site.

• 4

  Check the site of the Interceed barrier visually about one or two minutes after application. If the Interceed barrier turns black or dark brown, this indicates infiltration by blood and means the product will not be effective. Bloody Interceed barriers will defeat the purpose of the application and may instead promote the formation of pelvic adhesions. The ineffective barrier should be removed and discarded and bleeding will have to be stopped before a new barrier may be reapplied. Once hemostasis, the arrest of bleeding, is achieved, a new Interceed barrier may be reapplied.