Pathophysiology of Adhesions
Ș.A. Buţureanu, T.A.S. BuţureanuGeneral reports, no. 3, 2014
Formation of intraperitoneal adhesions after abdominal orpelvic surgery is a very common phenomenon. Although thereis no universally accepted definition, they are bridges of scartissue between the various organs of the peritoneal cavity as aresult of a local repair process excessively. Adhesions can becongenital or acquired as a local inflammatory process. Someadhesions can be asymptomatic, but many of them can causesevere complications such as abdominal or pelvic pain, femaleinfertility, and intestinal obstruction. Physicians and patientsshould be informed of the possibility of postoperative intraperitonealadhesions and this possibility should be mentioned inthe informed consent signed by the patient. The formation ofadhesions has multiple proinflammatory mechanismsinvolved, many with a pathophysiology still incompleteunderstood. Laparoscopic procedures do not diminish muchthe possibility of developing postoperative adhesions.Diagnostic imaging is quite uncertain, and the possibilities ofpreventing with a poor final result. The use of correct surgicaltechnique and avoidance of traumatic intraperitoneal organsmaneuvers may help reduce postoperative adhesionsincidence.
