(A-36) A Biocompatible and Rapidly Resorbable Implantable Barrier for Viscera Protection During Laparotomy Closure

Introduction:: Clear visualization of the fascial edges is essential to prevent incisional hernia and inadvertent bowel injury during laparotomy closure. The Glassman Visceral Retainer “FISH” and metal malleable retractor have been used for decades to protect the bowel but do not provide complete coverage and must be removed prior to placement of the final fascial sutures. We have created a biocompatible, flexible and rapidly resorbable implantable visceral barrier device (“The AbShield Viscera Barrier”) that is resistant to needle puncture and facilitates safe and rapid abdominal closure without the need to remove the device.

Materials and Methods:: The barrier was fabricated by gradually mixing two common FDA-approved biocompatible materials with distilled water, vigorously stirring and thermally film-forming into the elastomer by evaporation of water, which produces a flexible and transparent device. To evaluate the degradation and biocompatibility of the device as well as the safety of the device’s components, swine underwent laparotomy with subfascial implantation of the device at human equivalent dose/body weight, followed by closure of the incision using a running barbed monofilament suture.

Results, Conclusions, and Discussions:: Device placement resulted in excellent visualization of the fascial edges allowing for closure to be performed in less than 3 minutes. At necropsy on post-op day 3 and 30, the incisions healed well, and there was no gross evidence of any residual device/material or peritoneal adhesion formation. Histology of the adjacent visceral organs indicated no obvious signs of local organ toxicity. Similarly, no change was found in the hematological counts or assays related to liver, spleen and kidney function.
The AbShield barrier is an implantable device that protects the viscera from needle puncture, allowing for faster and more confident laparotomy closure. The device dissolves rapidly ( < 6 hours), is flexible and does not promote peritoneal adhesions or cause any local or systemic toxicity. Future swine studies with a larger sample size and longer time points are planned.


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