The international surgical journal with global reach

This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

Benefits and harms of adhesion barriers for abdominal surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet 2014; 383: 48-59.

Published: 11th September 2014

Authors: Ten Broek RPG, Stommel MWJ, Strik C, van Laarhoven CJHM, Keus F, van Goor H et al.

Conclusion

Twenty-eight trials were included in the analysis. No barrier increased adverse events, but only two were effective: oxidised regenerated cellulose reduced adhesions (relative risk 0.51, 95 per cent confidence interval 0.31 to 0.86) and hyaluronate carboxymethylcellulose reduced reoperation for adhesive small bowel obstruction (0.49, 0.28 to 0.88).

Pubmed Link