Absorptive anti-adhesion barrier for the prevention of bowel obstruction after laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery

Objectives: The protective efficacy of an absorptive adhesion prevention product (Seprafilm(Ⓡ)) against bowel obstruction (BO) during open surgery was demonstrated in a large-scale randomized controlled clinical trial in Europe and America. However, the efficacy of Seprafilm against BO in laparoscopic surgery remains uncertain. The objective of this study was to clarify the protective efficacy of Seprafilm against BO after laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer. Methods: From 2009 to 2016, 1328 laparoscopic colorectal resections were performed for colorectal cancer. From 2009, Seprafilm was used for preventing BO in laparoscopic colorectal surgery. The incidence of BO and short-term results were compared between the Seprafilm and non-Seprafilm groups after propensity score matching. Results: Propensity scoring generated 270 matched patients per group for the comparisons between the Seprafilm and non-Seprafilm groups. The two groups showed no significant differences regarding patients' backgrounds. Among all patients, 73.1% (19/26) of BO occurred within 30 days after the surgery. Significantly lower incidences of all grade (2.6% vs. 7.0%; p = 0.016) and grade 2 + 3a (1.5% vs. 5.2%; p = 0.017) BO were observed in the Seprafilm group than in the non-Seprafilm group; no significant difference regarding grade 3b BO (1.1% vs. 1.9%; p = 0.476) was found. A significant difference in BO within 30 days was also noted between the two groups (1.9% vs. 5.2%, p = 0.036). There were no significant differences between the groups regarding anastomotic leakage and deep surgical site infection. Conclusions: Seprafilm was useful for preventing BO, requiring decompression therapy of the bowel, after laparoscopic colorectal surgery without increasing adverse events.