An autologous blood-derived patch as an antiadhesive in a porcine uterine horn model

<h2>Abstract</h2><h3>Background</h3> Post-surgical adhesions, <i>i.e.</i>, scar tissue inadvertently interlinking organs in the abdomen, is a common complication after surgery that can lead to infertility, small bowel obstruction and difficulties in subsequent surgeries. We explored an autologous method for preventing adhesions. <h3>Methods</h3> An autologous blood-derived patch, purely made from the patient's own blood, was tested in a porcine model. We performed laparotomies, damaged the uterine horns, positioned and fixed them in close proximity to a denuded area on the abdominal wall. One uterine horn was protected with a patch (<i>n</i> = 11), the other acted as an untreated control. Four weeks after the surgery, adhesions were assessed macroscopically and microscopically. <h3>Results</h3> Uterine horns treated with a patch had significantly fewer and less severe adhesions. Furthermore, less inflammation and less intramural and peritoneal fibrosis was found in the patch-treated uterine horns. <h3>Conclusions</h3> We conclude that treatment with the blood-derived patch has potential for preventing post-surgical adhesions.