Abdominal adhesions causes, symptoms, and treatment
Abdominal adhesions are nothing but bands of tissue or scar-like tissue that form in the abdomen. The scar-like tissue forms between one or more abdominal organs or between the abdominal wall and organs.
Normally abdominal organs surfaces and abdominal wall do not stick together. But abdominal adhesions can make the surfaces of abdominal organs and abdominal wall stick together. This happens when you move. This may lead to abdominal pain and other symptoms.
Abdominal adhesions causes intestinal blockage or obstruction and other complications that may lead to symptoms. They can pull, twist, kink, or compress other organs or intestines.
Abdominal Adhesions Causes
Abdominal adhesions are common as they mostly develop in people who have had abdominal surgery done. In most cases, abdominal adhesions do not develop any symptoms or complications. Inflammatory conditions and abdominal infections can also cause abdominal adhesions. The other causes of abdominal adhesions may include peritonitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, diverticular disease, and Crohn’s disease.
Long-term peritoneal dialysis to treat kidney failure can also cause abdominal adhesions.
What are the symptoms of abdominal adhesions?
The signs and symptoms associated with abdominal adhesions may include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, not passing gas, constipation, and bloating. Intestinal obstruction or blockage may lead to peritonitis. This may lead to fever and a fast heart rate. Chronic abdominal pain is the major symptom.
Complications associated with Abdominal adhesions
Intestinal obstruction can be a life-threatening complication associated with abdominal adhesion. Due to obstruction or partial or complete blockage of fluids, air, food, or stool through the intestines death of intestinal tissues occur. It can also lead to the infection of the abdominal cavity (peritonitis).
Intestinal obstruction can cause severe complications. Therefore, people with chronic abdominal pain, passing no gas, fluids, or stool should seek medical attention immediately.
In women, abdominal adhesions can lead to infertility by blocking or compressing the reproductive organs.
Diagnosis of Abdominal Adhesions
Doctors take into account the medical history of the patient including the past history of abdominal conditions or surgery. During a physical examination, the doctor checks for pain and tenderness in the abdomen and uses a stethoscope to listen to abdominal sounds. To make a diagnosis of the condition, the doctor may order blood tests and imaging tests (abdominal ultrasound and CT).
Bottom Line
Abdominal adhesions are less common after laparoscopic surgery than after open surgery. If abdominal adhesions don’t cause symptoms or complications, they typically don’t need treatment. To release adhesions that are causing chronic abdominal pain and other symptoms -such as intestinal obstruction, surgical gastroenterologists perform surgery. Doctors who treat abdominal adhesions are specialists in abdominal adhesion surgery.
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