Abdominal Adhesions

What Is It?

Abdominal adhesions are bands of scarring that form on organs inside the abdomen. They could lead to organs to stick to the walls of their abdomen or into one another.

Abdominal adhesions most commonly grow after operation. Abdominal organs managed by the team have been changed temporarily from their regular positions. In certain people, this arouses excessive formation of scar tissues.

Adhesions can also form in people who develop a disease that`s spread into the membrane that covers the abdominal tissues, peritonitis. Another strange reason is endometriosis. Tissue that normally lines the uterus grows in other parts of the body, such as in the abdomen.

In the majority of patients, adhesions do not cause health issues. In a small number of people who have adhesions the intestines are blocked by the bands of scar tissue completely or partially. This congestion is called a bowel obstruction.

An area of intestine that is affected by adhesions can keep becoming blocked afterward unblocked, causing symptoms to go and come.

Paradoxically, a portion of the bowel twists tightly around a band of adhesions. This cuts off the normal blood circulation to the twisted intestine, resulting in what`s called"strangulation," and section of bowel begins to die. The person must be taken to surgery, If this emergency happens.

Adhesions are rare in patients who have never had abdominal operation. In people who have had multiple abdominal surgeries, adhesions are common.

Infection

In the majority of people, abdominal adhesions do not cause any signs or symptoms. Adhesions that block the gut can cause irregular bouts of crampy abdominal pain.

Significant gastrointestinal obstruction may cause the following symptoms:

• Severe, crampy abdominal pain

• Nausea and vomiting

• Swelling of the abdomen (abdominal distension)

• Inability to pass gas and bowel movements that are rare or absent

• Symptoms of dehydration, such as dry mouth, dry skin and tongue, intense thirst urination, fast heart rate and blood pressure

People typically develop severe abdominal pain, which can be constant or crampy, if the bowel becomes strangulated. The abdomen is distended and tender when touched lightly. People who have a strangulated bowel usually also develop hints of systemic (body-wide) illness, such as fever, quick heart rate and low blood pressure.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will examine you, paying special attention. She or he also will examine your anus. Your doctor will perform a rectal examination if you`re a girl. Your doctor will order blood tests and X-rays of your chest and abdomen and an abdominal CT scan to find signs for the diagnosis. At that time of abdominal operation, the diagnosis can be supported in certain people who have gastrointestinal obstruction or strangulation.

Expected Duration

Adhesions are permanent unless the patient has a surgical procedure. In this surgery a physician uses tools to clip the fibers which were formed into adhesions also to remove as much with this scar tissue.

Prevention

There is absolutely no method that you stop adhesions. This issue is 1 reason doctors are attentive if it`s necessary, to urge operation. If you`re experiencing surgery, your physician can minimize the possibility of adhesions using a surgical procedure and powder-free gloves.

Treatment

Adhesions Entire intestine obstacles that are brought on by adhesions usually require operation. In instances of partial bowel obstruction or even complete bowel obstruction without acute symptoms, surgery may be delayed for 12 to 24 hrs to allow a dried patient to get fluids intravenously (into a vein) and offer the person an opportunity to avoid operation. In cases like this, a tiny suction tube that goes into the stomach and throughout the nose can be used also to alleviate pain and nausea and also to prevent bloating. Immediate surgery must eradicate the adhesions that blood flow into the intestine can be revived If adhesions induce intestinal strangulation.

When To Call a Specialist

Call your doctor whenever you have abdominal pain that is acute, especially if you also have nausea and vomiting a fever, or bowel movements.

Prognosis

Adhesions could be medicated, but they can be considered a recurring problem. Because operation is both the treatment and cause, the issue can keep returning. For example, when operation is done to eradicate an intestinal obstruction caused by adhesions, generate a fresh obstruction and adhesions have a tendency to make again.

External resources

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearing House 2 Information WayBethesda, MD 20892-3570Tollfree: -LRB-800-RRB- 891-5389Phone: -LRB-301-RRB- 654-3810Fax: -LRB-301-RRB- 907-8906 http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/

Further info

Always consult with your physician to be sure the information pertains to your circumstances.