Surgical Adhesions
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Surgical Adhesions
Adhesions occur when tissues, which are normally free, scar together, sometimes as a result of surgery. Abnormal connections between tissues can cause a variety of problems, such as infertility or bowel obstruction. Adhesions typically occur 40 to 90 percent of the time after surgery, typically at the site where the surgery occurred.
What are adhesions?
Adhesions often occur when tissues heal itself following suturing, incision, infection, foreign bodies, and trauma (tissue damage) that are caused by virtually any kind of surgery. When the tissue heals, it develops scar. The preferred outcome after surgery is to not have these tissues stuck together (surgical adhesions).
The Incidence of Adhesions
The incidence of adhesions is remarkably high, even in the hands of skilled surgeons. Patients who undergo pelvic and abdominal surgery have up to a 94 percent likelihood of developing adhesions following the procedure. Studies have shown a high rate of adhesion formation following gynecological surgery and hysterectomies.
The Effects of Adhesions
Adhesions can be life threatening and can make surgical re-entry hazardous, impeding orientation and visibility. Dissecting adhesions may cause injury to surrounding organs or blood vessels, increasing blood loss and prolong operating time.
Adhesions often cause severe pain, discomfort, limited range of motion and organ dysfunction. In order to relieve pain or free an obstruction caused by adhesions, additional surgery may be required to dissect the adhesions.
Adhesions are commonly associated with pelvic pain. In fact, as high as 38 percent of women who suffer from pelvic pain have adhesions. Because normally separate organs are bound together by scar, the stretching and pulling of this tissue from everyday body movements can cause pain.
Adhesions are also a leading cause of female infertility. Certain gynecological surgeries can lead to the formation of adhesions between the ovaries and the fallopian tubes. Such scarring can interfere with the transportation of the egg and sperm, making it difficult to conceive.
Bowel obstruction is caused by adhesions involving the bowel, or intestine, and can occur either shortly after surgery or years later. The problem occurs when digested food is not allowed to pass and therefore causes a buildup. Such obstruction can lead to nausea, vomiting, debilitating pain and even death. If left untreated, the bowel could eventually rupture, and the patient would require emergency surgery.
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