An expanded polytetrafluoroethylene barrier (Gore-Tex surgical membrane) reduces post-myomectomy adhesion formation

Objective: To evaluate the effects of the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene barrier (PTFE), Gore Tex Surgical Membrane, in reducing postmyomectomy adhesion formation. Design: Multicenter randomized clinical trial. Interventions: Twenty-seven women having myomectomy with at least two incisions on the uterine fundus and posterior uterine wall of similar length were enrolled in the study. At laparotomy, the two incision sites were randomly assigned to be covered with PTFE or were left uncovered. A second- look laparoscopy to evaluate adhesion formation and to lyse adhesions was done from 2 to 6 weeks after the myomectomy. Adhesions were scored using a 0- to 11-point scoring system. Results: At laparoscopy, 15 of 27 incisions covered with PTFE (55.6%) and only 2 of 27 uncovered sites (7.4%) were completely free of adhesions. The mean adhesion score at the PTFE sites was significantly lower (1.88 ± 0.46; SEM) than at the control sites (7.55 ± 0.57). Conclusion: The PTFE barrier is effective in reducing postmyomectomy adhesion formation.