METHOD AND COMPOSITION FOR PREVENTING SURGICAL ADHESIONS AND TISSUE DAMAGE EMPLOYING FLUORINATED POLYMERS

摘要

An improved method for preventing adhesions during surgery. Tissue surfaces and surgical articles involved in the surgery are coated with a solution of a hydrophilic, polymeric material prior to manipulation of the tissue during surgery. The polymeric material is: (1) a substantially water-soluble polymer having at least one CnF2n+1 substituent wherein n >/= 4, having a molecular weight of less than about 60,000; (2) a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or complex thereof; or (3) mixtures thereof. The concentration of the aqueous solution of the polymeric material is in the range of from about 0.1 % to about 5.0 % by weight, the molecular weight and concentration having values such that the aqueous solution is capable of providing wet coatings on the tissue.