This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of sodium hyaluronate and carboxymethylcellulose membrane (Seprafilm) on early postoperative small bowel obstruction (EPSBO). It also examined whether using Seprafilm affected surgical site infection rates in gastrointestinal surgery. One hundred eighty-four patients who had Seprafilm placed during gastrointestinal surgery between October 2000 and December 2003 were included in the study (Seprafilm group) and were compared with a matched cohort (control group) of patients operated on without Seprafilm. All patients were retrospectively assessed for EPSBO and surgical site infections. The incidence of EPSBO was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the Seprafilm group (12/184) than in the control group (26/183). The incidence of surgical site infection between the Seprafilm (15.2%) and control (13.7%) groups was not statistically significant. The placement of Seprafilm helped to prevent EPSBO and had no significant adverse affect on surgical site infections.