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Adhesions
Medical Questions » Adhesions
| Name: Adhesions |
| Also known as: |
| A relatively uncommon but potentially serious and disabling complication of any surgery within the abdomen. |
Causes of Adhesions
During an operation, minor damage to tissue in the abdominal cavity occurs. If two areas of damaged tissue come into contact they may heal together and form an adhesion, which is a tough fibrous band that can later stretch across the abdominal cavity between the two surgically damaged points. More common if there is an infection in the abdomen (eg. burst appendix), but sometimes occur after relatively minor surgery. More common in short, fat females, but the reason for this is unknown. |
Symptoms of Adhesions
Most produce no symptoms, but if a loop of bowel is trapped it can become obstructed. More commonly, adhesion cause a persistent colic in the gut as the intestine winds tightly around the fibrous bands, or the adhesion
may tear and bleed, leading to more pain. |
Tests for Adhesions
No totally diagnostic tests available, but sometimes abnormalities are seen on an ultrasound scan of the abdomen. |
Treatment for Adhesions
More surgery to cut away the adhesion, during which extreme care must be taken to prevent any bleeding into the abdomen and any unnecessary injury to the bowel.
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Complications of Adhesions of its treatment
Bowel obstruction may lead to gangrene, perforation and peritonitis. |
Likely Outcome of Adhesions
A few months or years after treatment the adhesion may re-form, and the symptoms start again. Very difficult problem to deal with, and often no permanent solution. |
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