Abdominal Adhesions

Abdominal adhesions are a very common issue that results after abdominal surgeries, and sometimes, they can be serious.

Abdominal adhesions

Abdominal adhesions are straps of scar tissue that are formed between the organs inside the abdomen and pelvis.

Causes of abdominal adhesions

• Adhesions appear in the place where there is an inflammation or injury. In this case, the immune system triggers inflammation to repair the tissue, and due to that, the damaged tissue leads to the formation of scar tissue, and these scars don’t fade away; instead, they stick together.
• The most common cause of abdominal adhesions is after abdominal surgeries.
• Other causes include infections in the abdomen or pelvis, appendicitis, Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, peritoneal dialysis, and radiation therapy to the abdomen.

Symptoms of abdominal adhesions

• Abdominal adhesions don’t cause symptoms in most of the cases. However, adhesions can cause the intestines to twist, which can lead to small bowel obstruction.
• In the case of an obstruction, this can cause severe abdominal pain, bloating, cramping, nausea and vomiting, abdominal swelling, and inability to pass gas and stool. It’s critical to seek medical emergency in the case of small bowel obstruction because it’s a life-threatening condition.
• Abdominal adhesions can lead to chronic pain and infertility in some cases.

Diagnosis of abdominal adhesions

• Medical history.
• Imaging tests.

Treatment of abdominal adhesions

• Abdominal adhesions don’t require treatment unless they start to cause symptoms; in this case, they can be removed.