A novel adhesion barrier facilitates reoperations in complex congenital cardiac surgery.

Objective: Reoperations are associated with an increased surgical risk due to adhesions. We prospectively evaluated a bioresorbable membrane after surgery for congenital heart defects over a 3.5-year period.

Methods: The surgical membrane (CV Seprafilm, Genzyme, Cambridge, Mass) was applied in 350 of 1024 patients; 30 of them underwent reoperation and were evaluated in comparison to 10 random reoperated patients. Adhesions were evaluated using a subjective scoring system [1 (lowest tenacity) to 5 (highest tenacity)] and extent in percent at different regions of the heart.

Results: Patients were operated for atrioventricular septal defect (69), tetralogy of Fallot (65), functional single ventricle (75), valve surgery (48), ventricular septal defect (20), subaortic stenosis (17), hypoplastic left heart syndrome (17), and other diagnoses (39). Application of the surgical membrane was safe in all patients, without any infections. At reoperation patients received Glenn (14), total cavopulmonary connection (6), and others (10). Overall mortality was 2/350 (0.57%). There was a remarkable reduction in tenacity score (3.3 vs 4.3) and in the extent of adhesions (77.7% vs 86%). Duration of reoperation was significantly reduced.

Conclusions: A bioresorbable surgical membrane leads to a significant reduction in the tenacity and amount of adhesions. It is recommended for general use whenever repeat operation is anticipated in congenital as well as in adult cardiac surgery.