Abdominal Adhesions

Abdominal adhesions are bands of tissues which are formed between abdominal tissues and organs. Abdominal tissues and organs are slippery in nature and so they shift easily from their positions when the body moves. Abdominal adhesions cause these tissues and organs to stick together with each other.

Causes:

The most frequent cause of abdominal adhesion is abdominal surgery. Those who have undergone abdominal surgery will almost develop abdominal adhesions. However, the risk is greater after operations on the lower abdomen and pelvis, including bowel and gynecological surgeries. Abdominal adhesions become tighter as year passes after surgery. Less common causes of abdominal adhesions are appendicitis, radiation treatment for cancer, gynaecological infections and abdominal infections.

Symptoms:

Symptoms of abdominal adhesions include severe abdominal pain or cramping, vomiting, bloating, loud bowel sounds, swelling of the abdomen, inability to pass gas, constipation etc.

Treatment:

Abdominal adhesions do not need any treatments as most of them do not cause any problems. However if severe pain persists, then surgery is the only method to break the adhesions. More surgeries may increase the risk of additional adhesions.

Prevention:

Abdominal adhesions are difficult to prevent; however some surgery techniques can prevent this. The steps during surgery to reduce adhesion formation include using starch- and latex-free gloves, handling tissues and organs gently, shortening surgery time, and not allowing tissues to dry out.