Adhesions Summary Adhesions are bands of scar-like tissue. Normally, internal tissues and organs have slippery surfaces so they can shift easily as the body moves. Adhesions cause tissues and organs to stick together. They might connect the loops of the intestines to each other, to nearby organs, or to the wall of the abdomen. They can pull sections of the intestines out of place. This may block food from passing through the intestine. Adhesions can occur anywhere in the body. But they often form after surgery on the abdomen. Almost everyone who has surgery on the abdomen gets adhesions. Some adhesions don’t cause any problems. But when they partly or completely block the intestines, they cause symptoms such as Severe abdominal pain or cramping Vomiting Bloating An inability to pass gas Constipation Adhesions can sometimes cause infertility in women by preventing fertilized eggs from reaching the uterus. No tests are available to detect adhesions. Doctors usually find them during surgery to diagnose other problems. Some adhesions go away by themselves. If they partly block your intestines, a diet low in fiber can allow food to move easily through the affected area. If you have a complete intestinal obstruction, it is life threatening. You should get immediate medical attention and may need surgery. NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Start Here Abdominal Adhesions National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Adhesions: What Are They and How Can They Be Prevented? American Society for Reproductive Medicine Patient Handouts Abdominal Adhesions National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Encyclopedia Abdominal exploration Intestinal ischemia and infarction Intestinal obstruction Intestinal obstruction repair Intestinal obstruction repair – slideshow Array Abdominal exploration – slideshow Adhesion Prevention and Risk Factors Adept Adhesion Reduction Solution Food and Drug Administration Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Adhesions National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Tissue Adhesions National Institutes of Health Women Endometriosis Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Intrauterine Adhesions American Society for Reproductive Medicine Diagnosis and Tests Hysterosalpingography Array Laparoscopic Surgery American College of Gastroenterology Lower GI Series (Barium Enema) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Specifics Intestinal Ischemia Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Children Labial Adhesions: A Guide for Parents Children’s Hospital Boston Find an Expert National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Journal Articles Adhesions
