Interceed is a lightweight fabric patch used after surgery on women’s pelvic areas. The fabric dissolves as the surgical area heals. Interceed is used to reduce the risk of pelvic adhesions due to surgery. It is specifically used to help reduce adhesions after open gynecologic pelvic surgery.
What are some important things I should know about Interceed?
Interceed should not be used if there is an infection present, and it should not be used to stop bleeding, or it can lead to further injury. Interceed barriers should only be used one at a time, because they do contain medication. Also, women should avoid getting pregnant for at least one menstrual cycle after using Interceed.
Interceed is used for women who have just undergone open gynecologic pelvic surgery. The Interceed barrier is placed over the surgical suture after bleeding has stopped. Interceed is designed to help prevent adhesions. However, to avoid further injury, Interceed should be discarded if it:
- has been folded, waded or layered in any way
- has been placed in a contaminated surgical site (it has to remain sanitized)
- comes in contact with blood prior to completing the procedure
Surgeries that result in adhesions can lead to repeat surgeries, pain, infertility and bowel obstruction. Interceed is designed to reduce the chance of these post-surgical adhesions forming, especially after surgeries like:
- surgical treatment of endometriosis
- ovarian surgery
- myomectomy
- tubal surgery
Interceed can lead to further adhesions if it is folded, waded or layered, if it does not remain sanitized before application, and if it is not placed over a dry surgical area (if it touches blood). Adhesions can cause pain, infertility, bowel obstruction injuries, and can lead to repeat surgeries.
Interceed can turn black if it is placed over bleeding tissue, which reduces its effectiveness, can lead to delayed healing, and can cause adhesions.
Interceed has not been properly evaluated for laparoscopic surgery or any other procedures other than open gynecological microsurgical procedures.
It might be difficult to determine whether the Interceed patch is working properly. If you experience any bowel pain, pain in the pelvic area, fever, nausea or other discomfort, contact your doctor and ask about the possibility of complications with the Interceed barrier. Also, contact your doctor if you become pregnant within two months after the Interceed barrier has been used during your surgery.
Tags: gynecologic surgery, Interceed, patch, pelvic adhesion, surgery, sutures