Anti-Adhesion Surgical Irrigation Solution Market - Global Forecast 2026-2032

The Anti-Adhesion Surgical Irrigation Solution Market size was estimated at USD 523.49 million in 2025 and expected to reach USD 561.15 million in 2026, at a CAGR of 6.89% to reach USD 834.66 million by 2032.

Surgical adhesions remain one of the most underappreciated complications following abdominal, gynecological, and orthopedic procedures. It is estimated that adhesion formation can occur in up to 90 percent of patients undergoing peritoneal or pelvic surgery, exposing them to risks such as chronic pain, infertility, bowel obstructions, and readmissions for repeat operations. Secondary interventions to address adhesions are associated with heightened risks of inadvertent organ injury, increased operative times, and escalating healthcare costs - underscoring the imperative for effective prevention strategies.

While meticulous surgical technique remains foundational, barrier methods and fluid instillates have emerged as critical complements to reduce postoperative adhesion incidence. Historically, solid barriers and films presented challenges in laparoscopic procedures due to handling and application limitations. However, the advent of both gel formulations and liquid irrigation solutions has expanded the surgeon’s toolkit, enabling seamless integration into minimally invasive workflows. Among these innovations, the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration–approved fluid-based adhesion reduction agent is a 4 percent icodextrin solution, offering direct and rapid intraperitoneal application during gynecological laparoscopy without impeding visualization.

The landscape of adhesion prevention has been transformed by a confluence of surgical and materials science advancements. First, the proliferation of minimally invasive and robotic-assisted procedures has heightened the need for irrigation solutions that can be delivered through narrow ports without altering established workflows. As a result, surgeons are increasingly adopting sprayable hydrogel systems and non-viscous liquid instillates that maintain cavity coverage during the critical 5- to 7-day healing window.

Concurrently, research efforts are pushing beyond passive physical barriers toward multifunctional formulations. In large animal models, a thermoresponsive hyaluronic acid–poloxamer gel impregnated with small-molecule inhibitors has demonstrated the ability to modulate fibrotic signaling pathways and reduce scar tissue formation in both murine and porcine peritoneal injury models. Meanwhile, dextrin hydrogel sprays originally deployed in hepatic and gastrointestinal surgery are now being evaluated for laparoscopic myomectomy, with early clinical data showing a reduction in adhesion rates to under 17 percent post-deployment.

These technological advances are underpinned by growing clinical evidence supporting hyaluronic acid–based gels. Meta-analyses of randomized trials have confirmed that auto-crosslinked hyaluronic acid barriers significantly decrease the incidence and severity of intrauterine and abdominopelvic adhesions when used as rinsing or final instillates, marking a pivotal shift from traditional saline solutions toward targeted, bioresorbable chemistries.

The introduction of new U.S. tariffs on medical device components in 2025 has injected a layer of complexity into the supply chain for adhesion prevention products. Negotiations between the United States and the European Union are expected to include mutual waivers for certain medical device tariffs, offering temporary relief for key polymer excipients used in gel and fluid formulations. However, without permanent exemptions, increased duty burdens on raw materials such as hyaluronic acid and icodextrin could translate to elevated unit costs and margin pressure for manufacturers.

Industry associations have actively lobbied for protective measures to mitigate these headwinds. In February 2025, the American Hospital Association formally petitioned the White House to exempt critical medical products and supplies from tariff hikes, warning that higher import duties could exacerbate hospital supply chain vulnerabilities and inflate patient care costs by billions annually. Similarly, AdvaMed has urged the administration to extend the medical technology exemption first granted in prior tariff rounds, emphasizing the potential risk to patient access and innovation pipelines.

Further compounding the dynamic, Section 301 duties on select medical consumables-ranging from surgical gloves at up to 50 percent to disposable syringes at 100 percent-have already gone into effect, prompting device makers to reassess sourcing strategies and consider domestic manufacturing partnerships to preserve competitiveness and supply continuity.

The market for anti-adhesion surgical irrigation solutions can be dissected through four primary lenses-formulation type, clinical application, end-user setting, and distribution channel-to uncover nuanced growth drivers. From a product-type perspective, gel formulations offer enhanced residence time and targeted adhesion prevention, whereas liquid irrigation solutions prioritize rapid intraperitoneal coverage and ease of delivery through standard laparoscopic ports.

Clinical applications are equally diverse, spanning cardiovascular surgery procedures such as bypass and valve replacement to general surgery variants including laparoscopic and open techniques. Gynecological procedures see distinct adoption patterns for both minimally invasive and open barrier applications, while neurosurgical and orthopedic subspecialties increasingly explore irrigation instillates to protect delicate neural and musculoskeletal interfaces during spine and joint arthroplasties.

In terms of end-users, large hospital systems remain the predominant purchasers of adhesion prevention solutions due to their high procedural volumes and integrated supply chain operations. The rising role of ambulatory surgical centers-both freestanding and hospital-affiliated-has created incremental demand for user-friendly, shelf-stable irrigation products tailored to outpatient workflows. Specialty clinics focusing on gynecological and orthopedic care further drive demand for targeted barrier chemistries that align with their procedural mix and reimbursement structures.

Distribution channels are evolving in tandem, with traditional direct sales and institutional contracting complemented by national and regional distributor networks. At the same time, e-commerce platforms and manufacturer websites are gaining traction among smaller clinics and ASC operators seeking flexible procurement, transparent pricing, and expedited delivery-reshaping how adhesion prevention products reach the market.

Within the Americas, the United States leads in both R&D investment and procedural volumes for adhesion prevention, driven by advanced healthcare infrastructure and favorable reimbursement policies for minimally invasive surgeries. The robust presence of clinical trials-such as the recent multicenter registry that evaluated a 4 percent icodextrin irrigant across 4,620 patients in open and laparoscopic settings-underscores the region’s pioneering role in validating novel irrigation technologies.

Europe, the Middle East, and Africa encompass a spectrum of regulatory environments where adhesion prevention gels like auto-crosslinked hyaluronic acid barriers have secured clinical endorsements and guideline support from leading societies. Products such as HyaRegen® and Hyalobarrier Gel Endo, now widely used in gynecological laparoscopy, benefit from favorable reimbursement frameworks within major European health systems and growing interest in Middle Eastern advanced surgery centers.

Asia-Pacific is emerging as a high-growth region for anti-adhesion irrigation solutions, propelled by rising surgical volumes in India, China, and Southeast Asian markets. Rapid expansion of medical tourism hubs and government initiatives to upgrade healthcare infrastructure have spurred local adoption of both imported and domestically produced barrier technologies. China’s prominence in global medical device exports, accounting for nearly 25 percent of orthopedic implants destined for the United States, underscores its escalating role in supply dynamics even amid geopolitical headwinds.

Key players in the anti-adhesion irrigation domain are converging on advanced chemistries and delivery modalities to extend clinical value. Baxter Healthcare, through its ADEPT® 4 percent icodextrin solution, maintains market leadership in gynecological laparoscopic adhesiolysis with proven randomized controlled trial data for reduced adhesion severity and improved fertility outcomes.

Confluent Surgical’s SprayGel® and Covidien’s SprayShield® deliver polyethylene glycol–based hydrogels via laparoscopic spray systems, demonstrating significant decreases in adhesion incidence across animal models and early human feasibility studies without reported adverse effects. Nordic Pharma’s ACP gel platform, marketed as Hyalobarrier Gel Endo, has achieved Grade I recommendations from the International Society for Gynecological Endoscopy following multicenter trials showing a reduction in adhesion formation and enhanced postoperative recovery.

Innovators like SciVision Biotech are advancing crosslinked hyaluronic acid networks-applying PROTAHERE® barriers in hysteroscopic myomectomy to minimize readhesion rates and improve subsequent fertility outcomes. Meanwhile, Teine Keijinkai Hospital’s clinical experience with dextrin hydrogel sprays highlights emerging dextrin-based platforms as viable adjuncts in diverse surgical fields, from myomectomy to general abdominal procedures.

Further expanding the competitive landscape, Kebomed Europe’s HyaRegen® Gel offers a self-crosslinked hyaluronic acid barrier designed for endoscopic and open surgeries with a controlled resorption profile and confirmed safety in deep endometriosis applications. Collectively, these companies underscore the vitality of innovation across the anti-adhesion surgical irrigation segment.

Industry leaders seeking to capitalize on the anti-adhesion irrigation market should consider several strategic initiatives. First, investment in next-generation biopolymers and targeted delivery agents can differentiate portfolios, particularly in combining anti-adhesion with antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory functionalities for multifunctional solutions.

Second, proactive engagement with policymakers and trade associations is essential to secure permanent tariff exemptions for critical adhesion prevention products and excipients. Collaboration with advocacy groups such as AdvaMed and the American Hospital Association can streamline efforts to maintain cost-effective access to raw materials and finished devices.

Third, strengthening supply chain resilience through diversified sourcing and strategic domestic partnerships will mitigate exposure to geopolitical risks and supply interruptions. Real-time predictive analytics and transparent vendor management can further optimize procurement cycles, as exemplified by leading systems leveraging AI-driven spend analysis for healthcare procurement.

Finally, expanding distribution models to integrate digital procurement platforms and direct-to-clinic e-commerce portals can enhance market reach among ambulatory and specialty centers. Tailoring marketing and educational resources to reinforce clinical value and ease of use will support adoption across both high-volume hospitals and outpatient facilities.

Our research methodology integrated robust primary and secondary processes to ensure comprehensive and reliable insights. Secondary research encompassed systematic reviews of peer-reviewed literature, clinical guidelines, and major medical device press releases, including data from ClinicalTrials.gov registries and international consensus statements.

Primary research involved in-depth interviews with leading surgeons, supply chain executives, and procurement directors across key geographies. These discussions provided real-world perspectives on product performance, purchasing criteria, and reimbursement complexities. Quantitative data triangulation combined publicly available tariff schedules, hospital procurement data, and e-commerce transaction metrics to validate emerging distribution trends.

To enhance analytical rigor, we employed a cross-validation framework aligning clinical trial outcomes with on-the-ground adoption patterns and financial implications of tariff shifts. Geographic segmentation was refined through comparative policy reviews and regional clinical trial activity assessments, ensuring that our regional insights reflect both macroeconomic factors and localized market dynamics. All findings were peer-reviewed by our internal advisory board of industry experts to confirm relevance and actionable value.

The anti-adhesion surgical irrigation market is at a pivotal juncture, driven by the convergence of minimally invasive surgical growth, materials innovation, and evolving global trade policies. Gel and liquid irrigation solutions have demonstrated clinical value in reducing adhesion incidence and improving postoperative recovery across multiple specialties. However, emerging tariff measures and shifts in supply chain dynamics necessitate strategic agility from both established players and new entrants.

Segmented adoption patterns underscore the importance of tailoring product offerings to specific procedural contexts, end-user settings, and procurement channels. Regional disparities in regulatory frameworks and healthcare infrastructure present discrete opportunities for targeted market entry and localized collaboration. As competition intensifies, differentiation through multifunctional formulations, strong policy advocacy, and digital distribution models will be critical to sustaining momentum and capturing market share.

Ultimately, the capacity to blend scientific innovation with operational resilience-and to align product capabilities with evolving clinical and economic imperatives-will determine the next generation of leadership in the anti-adhesion irrigation segment.

Ketan Rohom, Associate Director of Sales & Marketing, invites you to engage with our comprehensive analysis and gain exclusive access to the full report on anti-adhesion surgical irrigation solutions. Reach out to discuss enterprise licensing options, receive a personalized briefing, and explore tailored insights designed to support your strategic objectives. Our team stands ready to guide you through the report’s detailed findings and help you leverage its actionable intelligence to drive innovation, optimize supply chains, and enhance patient outcomes across your organization.