What causes adhesions in the abdomen?

Adhesions form when the normal healing process produces excess fibrous tissue after irritation to the peritoneum, the lining of the abdomen. Common triggers include previous abdominal or pelvic surgery, infection, endometriosis, or inflammatory conditions. Not all adhesions cause symptoms; some remain clinically silent, while others cause chronic pain, bowel obstruction, or infertility depending on their location and severity. Understanding the cause can help guide treatment decisions.

How does surgery affect adhesion risk?

Surgery is one of the most frequent causes of abdominal adhesions. Open procedures tend to cause more adhesion formation than minimally invasive techniques because of greater tissue handling and exposure. Surgeons can reduce risk by using gentle tissue handling, limiting foreign materials, maintaining good hemostasis, and minimizing peritoneal drying. During necessary operations, some surgeons use barrier products placed between tissues to lower the chance of new adhesions forming, though effectiveness varies by product and procedure.

What non-surgical medicine options exist?

There is no widely accepted oral medication that dissolves established adhesions. Medical management focuses on symptom control: pain relievers (acetaminophen or certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), bowel regimen adjustments, and treatment of associated conditions such as constipation or bacterial overgrowth. In some chronic-pain cases, multidisciplinary approaches with physical therapy, behavioral pain strategies, and targeted nerve or trigger-point treatments can help. Discussing medication side effects and interactions with your doctor is important.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized guidance and treatment.

What hospital procedures treat adhesions?

When adhesions cause serious problems such as recurrent small-bowel obstruction or refractory pain, hospital-based procedures may be recommended. The most common intervention is adhesiolysis—surgically dividing adhesions—performed laparoscopically when feasible. Laparoscopy often shortens recovery and may reduce new adhesion formation compared with open surgery, but risk of injury to the bowel during dissection exists. In emergent cases with compromised bowel, open surgery and bowel resection may be necessary. Postoperative monitoring for ileus, infection, and recurrent obstruction is routine.

How to choose a doctor and plan follow-up care

Select a surgeon with experience in abdominal or colorectal procedures and a medical team comfortable managing adhesive disease. Preoperative discussion should cover risks of reformation, alternatives to surgery, expected recovery, and perioperative measures to reduce adhesions. For nonoperative care, primary care physicians, gastroenterologists, or pain-management specialists may be involved. Regular follow-up helps track symptoms, nutrition, and bowel function; imaging may be used selectively when obstruction or other complications are suspected.

Conclusion

Treatment of abdominal adhesions ranges from conservative symptom management to surgical adhesiolysis in cases of obstruction or severe, persistent symptoms. Preventive strategies during initial operations—minimally invasive approaches, careful surgical technique, and selective use of barrier agents—can reduce but not eliminate the risk of adhesions. Decisions about medicine, hospital procedures, and timing of surgery should be individualized and made in consultation with an experienced doctor familiar with adhesive disease.