ABSTRACT
Postsurgical adhesion formation has numerous deleterious side effects in a wide variety
of surgical settings. Physical barriers used together with laparoscopy were developed
in hopes of reducing the tissue trauma seen with open procedures and separating tissues
during the critical time of healing to reduce adhesion formation. Despite meticulous
techniques by surgeons and the availability of barriers, adhesion formation remains
a serious problem, with more than $1 billion spent annually on complications arising
from adhesions. Our laboratories have combined a previously marketed drug, Tranilast,
with a gel to provide a locally delivered medicated device that can reduce adhesion
formation. This article will review the role of Tranilast in the key pathways involved
in adhesion formation.
KEYWORDS
Transilast - adhesions - mast cells - gynecologic surgery - surgery
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Gere S diZeregaM.D.
University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics
and Gynecology, Livingston Reproductive Biology Laboratories
1321 N. Mission Road, Los Angeles, CA 90033
Email: GSD1270@aol.com