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Dr. Diamond says surgical adhesions are often ignored as a complication for fertility. |
Michael Diamond, MD, is looking at a problem that most people can’t see. His studies of women receiving treatment for infertility have shown that 80-90 percent of patients develop internal adhesions after surgery. In most cases, adhesions are a predictable part of the normal post-operative healing process; but for women trying to conceive children, adhesions can be a difficult problem.
As a professor in obstetrics/gynecology and chief of reproductive endocrinology, Dr. Diamond understands that it’s very important for the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus to be free from obstructions for successful conception. Very often, however, the surgery that is done to correct these obstructions may contribute further to the infertility problems.
"Even the best surgeons with the best techniques can’t prevent adhesions altogether," said Dr. Diamond. "They are not generally problematic, but complications can arise if we ignore their potential to interfere with fertility issues."
Dr. Diamond and his colleagues are investigating the efficacy of Interceed and Seprafilm, two adhesion-reducing agents. These agents act as a physical barrier by separating opposing surfaces. Interceed is a gauze-like substance that resembles a thin film. It does not lubricate the surfaces, but separates them to prevent friction. Seprafilm is similar, except that it’s sticky, which makes it particularly useful for abdominal incisions. Both substances were used in clinical trials at Wayne State University and The Detroit Medical Center and researchers continue to evaluate them for maximum effectiveness.
Taking this research one step further, Dr. Diamond is looking deeper at the molecular biology of adhesions to learn why they develop, how they develop, their rate of growth, and their growth process. He has also found biological differences in adhesions formed at various sites in the body. Dr. Diamond said, "In the long run, we’d like to get a more comprehensive understanding of the healing process, which links all these factors together."