Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41943263›Full record

Observational studyJournal of Korean medical science2026

Effectiveness and Cost-Utility of Anti-Adhesion Agents in Intra-Abdominal Surgery Patients.

Yoon Suk Lee, Seeun Park, Minseo Park, U-Syn Ha, Sung Jong Lee, Tae-Jin Lee, Euichul Shin

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in Journal of Korean medical science, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Yoon Suk Lee *Department of Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1849-2774
Seeun Park *Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0237-8771
Minseo ParkHealth Insurance Review & Assessment Service, Wonju, Korea.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8949-9888
U-Syn HaDepartment of Urology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9930-0588
Sung Jong LeeDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6077-2649
Tae-Jin LeeDepartment of Public Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea. tjlee@snu.ac.kr.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2539-3579
Euichul ShinDepartment of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. eshinchj@gmail.com.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7953-021X

Funding

National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency HC20C0096
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAdhesive intestinal obstruction (AIO) is a common and critical complication of intra-abdominal surgery, often requiring preventative measures such as using anti-adhesion agents (AAA). However, despite their prevalence and significance, a notable lack of long-term and large-scale clinical evidence exists supporting the effectiveness and cost-utility of these agents. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-utility of applying AAA in patients undergoing intra-abdominal surgery.

methodsThis is a retrospective observational study utilizing the Korean National Health Insurance Database in combination with the data from the Clinical Data Warehouse collected from six university-affiliated hospitals in Korea. The study included patients who underwent intra-abdominal surgeries between April and December 2016, with 2-year follow-up. The effectiveness of AAA was assessed by the incidence rate of AIO, and cost-utility was evaluated through calculating quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and direct costs. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted to confirm the consistency and robustness of the study findings.

resultsA total of 2,831 patients were included in the study. Among them, 1,365 (47.2%) received AAA while 1,466 (52.8%) did not. The group that received AAA exhibited a significantly lower incidence of AIO, with a rate of 12.4% compared to 18.5% in the non-user group. Utility scores were higher in the user group, averaging 1.992 QALYs versus 1.986 in the non-user group. Direct costs were significantly lower in the user group, totaling 3,794 USD, which is 1,330 USD less than those incurred by the non-user group. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses reinforced these findings, demonstrating consistent reductions in AIO incidence, increased QALYs, and decreased costs observed across various subgroups, particularly among older patients and those without chronic conditions.

conclusionThese findings highlight the clinical effectiveness and cost-utility of AAA in patients undergoing intra-abdominal surgery. By significantly reducing the incidence of AIO and lowering healthcare costs, these agents provide empirical evidence supporting their broader adoption in clinical practice. This study addresses critical gaps in the understanding of postoperative management and offers valuable insights that could inform future healthcare policies.

Indexed as

AbdomenCost-Benefit AnalysisIntestinal ObstructionAdultAgedAged, 80 and overDatabases, FactualFemaleHumansIncidenceMaleMiddle AgedPostoperative ComplicationsQuality-Adjusted Life YearsRepublic of KoreaRetrospective StudiesAdhesive Intestinal ObstructionAnti-Adhesion AgentsCost-Utility AnalysisQuality-Adjusted Life Years

Identifiers

PMID41943263
PMCPMC13053161

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.