What Are Abdominal Adhesions?

Bands of tissue that grow between organs and the abdominal tissue are called abdominal adhesions. These adhesions can cause no problems or symptoms, but some can cause pelvic pain, intestinal obstruction, chronic abdomen pain, and female infertility.

Causes

There are a few causes of abdominal adhesions. The most frequent of these causes is abdominal surgery, with the greatest risk being from surgeries to the pelvis and lower abdomen. Other causes include infections, cancer radiation treatments, and appendicitis. Some adhesions will form with no known cause.

Symptoms of Adhesions

Symptoms can be unnoticeable and often the only symptoms are pelvic pain and chronic abdominal pain. They can feel like appendicitis or endometriosis.

Symptoms of Intestinal Obstruction

If the adhesions have caused intestinal obstructions there may be signs like vomiting, cramping, severe abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, abdomen swelling, inability to pass gas, and loud bowel sounds. Those with these symptoms should seek medical help as soon as possible.

Abdominal Adhesion Diagnosis

There are no tests or imaging services to help diagnose abdominal adhesions. They are typically found during exploratory surgery.

Abdominal Adhesion Treatment

When the adhesion is not causing problems there is generally no treatment needed. However if there are pains and obstructions, surgery is the option. The surgery adds the risk that there could be more adhesions from the surgery itself.

Prevention

These are difficult to prevent. There is a lesser chance of getting adhesions through surgery by choosing laparoscopic surgery over an open one. Also a wax paper-like film can go between organs and the incision that dissolve in about a week that can be used. This film is called Seprafilm.

Source: The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse


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