The efficacy of auto-cross-linked hyaluronic acid gel in addition to oestradiol and intrauterine balloon insertion in the prevention of adhesion reformation after hysteroscopic adhesiolysis

Research question What is the efficacy of auto-cross-linked hyaluronic acid gel use in preventing adhesion reformation after intrauterine adhesiolysis? Design This was a single-centre, double-blind randomized controlled trial. Results In total 171 participants successfully completed the study (84 in the treatment group and 87 in the control group). There was no significant difference in pre-operative variables between the two groups. The primary outcome measure was the adhesion reformation rate at second-look and third-look hysteroscopy. At second-look hysteroscopy, there was no significant difference in adhesion recurrence rate between the treatment group (20.2%, 17/84) and the control group (23.0%, 20/87; P = 0.662). At third-look hysteroscopy, there was also no significant difference in adhesion recurrence rate between the treatment group (9.5%, 8/84) and the control group (11.5%, 10/87; P = 0.675). The secondary outcome measure was the median American Fertility Society (AFS) score, which was not significantly different at second-look hysteroscopy 4 weeks after surgery between the treatment group (0, range 0–4.0) and the control group (0, range 0–4.0; P = 0.475), and at third-look hysteroscopy 8 weeks after surgery between the treatment group (0, range 0–3.5) and the control group (0, range 0–4.0; P = 0.965). Regarding the menstrual flow improvement rate 3 months post-operatively, there was no significant difference between the treatment and control groups (67.9% versus 64.4%; P = 0.630). Conclusions The application of auto-cross-linked hyaluronic acid gel does not seem to reduce the incidence and severity of intrauterine adhesion recurrence or affect the menstrual pattern after hysteroscopic removal of mild to moderate intrauterine adhesions.