Objective: To evaluate the effect of a sodium hyaluronate and carboxymethylcellulose membrane (Seprafilm) on early postoperative small bowel obstruction (EPSBO) in patients with gynecologic malignancies.

Methods: One hundred forty-five patients who had Seprafilm placed during gynecological surgery between April 2002 and March 2007 (Seprafilm group) were compared with a historical control group of patients managed without Seprafilm between January 1997 and March 2002. All patients undergoing primary surgery with pelvic or combined pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy for gynecological malignancies were retrospectively assessed for EPSBO and surgical infections.

Results: The incidence of EPSBO was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the Seprafilm group (3.1%, 6/191) than in the control group (13.9%, 25/180). According to logistic regression analysis, the use of Seprafilm (odds ratio, 0.18; 95% confidence interval, 0.07-0.47; P < 0.0005) and the performance of pelvic lymphadenectomy alone (odds ratio, 0.27; 95% confidence interval, 0.09-0.78; P < 0.02) were independent predictors of a lower rate of EPSBO. The incidence of surgical infection showed no significant difference between the Seprafilm group (3.6%) and the control group (6.7%).

Conclusions: Placement of Seprafilm helped to prevent EPSBO and had no significant adverse effect on surgical infections in patients who underwent lymphadenectomy for gynecological malignancy.