Method and non-gelling composition for inhibiting post-surgical adhesions

Abstract

Non-gelling polyoxyalkylene compositions, and methods of their use for inhibiting surgical adhesion formation/reformation in mammals are disclosed. The useful non-gelling compositions preferably comprise polyoxyalkylene block copolymer at desired concentrations with or without a therapeutic agent. When used with an incorporated drug, the non-gelling compositions serve as a carrier providing sustained or prolonged release of the therapeutic agent.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of inhibiting the formation/reformation of internal adhesions which comprises administering to tissues of a mammal an aqueous non-gelling composition comprising: 
 about 65%-95% by weight of water;    about 5% to 35% by weight of a polyoxyalkylene block polymer of the formula:   Y[(A) n —E—H] x     wherein A is a polyoxyalkylene moiety having an oxygen/carbon atom ratio of less than approximately 0.5, x is at least 1, Y is derived from water or an organic compound containing x reactive hydrogen atoms, E is a polyoxyethylene moiety, n has a value such that the minimum molecular weight of A is between about 500 to about 900, as determined by the hydroxyl number of an intermediate of formula:   Y[(A) n —H] x     and the total molecular weight of the polyoxyalkylene block copolymer is at least about 5000.