By Abdominal adhesions can develop after surgery, infection, inflammation or other forms of injury inside the abdomen. They are bands of scar-like tissue that cause organs or tissues to stick together. Many people have adhesions without experiencing any symptoms. However, in some cases, they can cause ongoing abdominal pain or contribute to an intestinal blockage.
This Abdominal Adhesions FAQ answers common questions about causes, symptoms, diagnosis, complications and treatment. It also explains when abdominal pain may require urgent medical attention.
What Are Abdominal Adhesions?
What Are Abdominal Adhesions? Abdominal adhesions are bands of fibrous or scar-like tissue that develop inside the abdomen. They can form between loops of intestine, between an organ and the abdominal wall, or between other abdominal tissues.
Normally, abdominal organs can move freely against one another. Adhesions can make these surfaces stick together. Depending on where they form, they may have no noticeable effect or may pull, kink or compress part of the intestine.
Abdominal surgery is the most common cause. Adhesions can develop after both open and laparoscopic operations, although they are generally less common after laparoscopic surgery.
What Causes Abdominal Adhesions?
The body forms scar tissue as part of its natural healing process. When tissues inside the abdomen become injured or inflamed, scar-like tissue may develop during healing. If nearby tissues come into contact while healing, they may become attached.
Common Abdominal Adhesions Causes include:
- Abdominal or pelvic surgery
- Emergency abdominal surgery
- Multiple abdominal operations
- Appendicitis
- Crohn’s disease
- Diverticular disease
- Endometriosis
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Peritonitis or other abdominal infections
- Radiation therapy involving the abdomen
- Long-term peritoneal dialysis
In some people, adhesions may also be present from birth.
Are Abdominal Adhesions Common After Surgery?
Yes. Abdominal adhesions are very common after abdominal surgery. NIDDK reports that they develop in more than 9 out of 10 people who undergo surgery that opens the abdomen. However, having adhesions does not necessarily mean that you will develop symptoms or complications. Most people with abdominal adhesions do not experience problems related to them.
The risk can be higher after emergency surgery, pelvic surgery and operations involving the lower digestive tract.
What Are the Main Abdominal Adhesion Symptoms?
Many adhesions cause no symptoms at all. When symptoms occur, chronic abdominal pain is one of the most common complaints.
Possible abdominal adhesion symptoms include:
- Persistent or recurring abdominal pain
- Abdominal discomfort
- Bloating
- Cramping
- Changes in bowel movements
- Constipation
- Difficulty passing gas
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Symptoms can vary depending on the location and extent of the adhesions.
Importantly, these symptoms can have many possible causes. Abdominal pain alone does not prove that adhesions are responsible. A healthcare professional may need to consider other digestive, gynaecological or abdominal conditions.
Can Abdominal Adhesions Cause Severe Pain?
They can contribute to chronic or recurring abdominal pain in some people. Adhesions may restrict the normal movement of organs or pull on surrounding tissues.
However, severe or rapidly worsening pain should not automatically be attributed to adhesions. It may indicate a complication such as an intestinal obstruction or another urgent abdominal condition.
If severe pain occurs together with vomiting, significant swelling or an inability to pass stool or gas, seek urgent medical care.
Can Abdominal Adhesions Cause Bowel Obstruction?
Yes. This is one of the most important complications associated with abdominal adhesions.
An adhesion can pull or kink a section of intestine and interfere with the normal movement of food, fluid, gas and waste. Adhesions are a major cause of small bowel obstruction.
A complete intestinal obstruction can become life-threatening because the blockage may interfere with the blood supply to the affected bowel. Serious complications can include tissue damage and peritonitis.
What Are the Warning Signs of Bowel Obstruction?
Seek emergency medical attention if you develop symptoms such as:
- Severe or worsening abdominal pain or cramping
- Significant abdominal swelling or bloating
- Persistent nausea or vomiting
- Inability to pass gas
- Inability to pass stool
- Severe constipation accompanied by other obstruction symptoms
- Fever or a rapid heartbeat
A complete obstruction requires immediate medical assessment.
Can Abdominal Adhesions Cause Infertility?
Pelvic adhesions can sometimes affect fertility. In women, adhesions may involve reproductive organs or structures within the pelvis and interfere with the normal function of the reproductive system.
For example, adhesions may affect the fallopian tubes or surrounding tissues. However, infertility has many possible causes, so adhesions are only one potential factor.
If you have difficulty becoming pregnant and have a history of pelvic surgery, endometriosis, pelvic infection or other conditions associated with adhesions, discuss your reproductive health with a qualified healthcare professional.
How Are Abdominal Adhesions Diagnosed?
Diagnosing adhesions can be challenging because standard imaging tests often cannot directly show the adhesions themselves.
A healthcare professional may begin by asking about:
- Previous abdominal or pelvic surgery
- Previous infections or inflammation
- Existing digestive conditions
- The location and duration of your pain
- Changes in bowel habits
- Nausea, vomiting or bloating
- Previous episodes of bowel obstruction
A physical examination may also be performed.
Blood tests can help identify other health problems and assess complications, but they do not directly diagnose abdominal adhesions.
CT scans and X-rays may help identify an intestinal obstruction or rule out other causes of abdominal symptoms.
Can an Ultrasound Detect Abdominal Adhesions?
Routine imaging does not reliably identify abdominal adhesions. Ultrasound may be useful for investigating other causes of abdominal symptoms, but it is not generally a definitive test for adhesions.
Doctors may use imaging to look for complications, particularly intestinal obstruction.
In some cases, surgery may ultimately be needed to directly identify adhesions. Laparoscopic surgery allows a surgeon to look inside the abdomen and, where appropriate, treat adhesions during the same procedure.
Do Abdominal Adhesions Always Need Treatment?
No. Most abdominal adhesions do not require treatment if they are not causing symptoms or complications.
This is important because surgery to remove adhesions can itself cause new scar tissue to develop. Therefore, doctors generally consider the potential benefits and risks before recommending an operation.
If adhesions are causing serious complications, such as intestinal obstruction, treatment may be necessary.
What Is the Usual Adhesion Treatment?
The appropriate Abdominal Adhesions Treatment depends on the person’s symptoms and complications.
If adhesions are not causing problems, observation may be appropriate.
When adhesions contribute to significant complications, a surgeon may perform a procedure called adhesiolysis. During adhesiolysis, the surgeon separates or releases the abnormal scar tissue.
Depending on the situation, the procedure may be performed using:
- Laparoscopic surgery, using several small incisions
- Open surgery, using a larger abdominal incision
The choice depends on factors such as the location and severity of the adhesions, the patient’s medical history and whether an emergency is present.
Can Adhesions Be Removed Without Surgery?
There is currently no reliable non-surgical procedure that physically removes established abdominal adhesions.
Doctors may use non-surgical treatment when an adhesion-related bowel obstruction does not require immediate surgery. Hospital treatment can include intravenous fluids, bowel rest and, in some cases, a tube passed through the nose into the stomach to remove accumulated fluid and gas. Some obstructions resolve without an operation, while others require surgery.
For ongoing abdominal pain, healthcare professionals may consider pain management and other approaches according to the underlying cause.
Can Abdominal Adhesions Go Away on Their Own?
Some adhesions may become less problematic over time, and many never cause symptoms. However, you should not assume that persistent abdominal symptoms will disappear without assessment.
If you have recurring pain, bloating, constipation or other digestive symptoms, speak with a healthcare professional. These symptoms can result from many different conditions.
Can Diet Break Down Abdominal Adhesions?
No specific food or diet has been proven to dissolve established abdominal adhesions.
Diet may still matter when adhesions have caused or contributed to bowel symptoms. For example, people with a partial obstruction may receive specific dietary advice from their healthcare team. Cleveland Clinic notes that a healthcare professional may recommend softer or lower-fibre foods in certain obstruction situations.
Do not make major dietary restrictions without professional advice, particularly if you have unexplained weight loss, vomiting, suspected obstruction or nutritional problems.
Are There Natural Remedies for Abdominal Adhesions?
There is no established natural remedy that can dissolve abdominal adhesions.
Some people explore dietary changes, supplements, massage or physical therapy for abdominal discomfort. However, these approaches should not be presented as proven methods for removing adhesions.
Cleveland Clinic notes that some research has examined soft-tissue mobilisation for adhesion-related pain, but further research is needed to establish its benefits.
If you are considering herbal products or supplements, discuss them with your healthcare professional, especially if you take prescription medicines or have digestive symptoms.
Can Exercise Help With Abdominal Adhesions?
Gentle physical activity may be appropriate for some people, depending on their overall health and the reason for their abdominal symptoms. However, exercise cannot be considered a treatment that removes adhesions.
After abdominal surgery, follow the activity instructions provided by your surgical team. Avoid strenuous activity until you have been cleared to return to it.
If exercise causes pain, nausea, vomiting or other concerning symptoms, stop and seek medical advice.
Can Abdominal Adhesions Be Prevented?
It is not always possible to prevent adhesions. They are part of the body’s healing response to injury and inflammation.
During abdominal surgery, surgeons may take measures to reduce the risk. These can include gentle handling of tissues, limiting foreign materials in the abdominal cavity and, in appropriate cases, using adhesion barriers. Laparoscopic surgery may also have a lower risk of adhesion formation than open surgery.
Can Abdominal Adhesions Develop Years After Surgery?
Yes. Adhesion-related symptoms or complications can occur long after the original operation. NIDDK reports that symptoms and complications may begin many years after surgery.
Therefore, a previous operation remains relevant when a doctor investigates unexplained abdominal symptoms, even if the surgery happened a long time ago.
Are Abdominal Adhesions Dangerous?
Most adhesions are not dangerous and never cause noticeable problems.
The main concern is when adhesions lead to complications such as intestinal obstruction. A complete obstruction can become a medical emergency because the affected bowel may lose its blood supply or become severely damaged.
The presence of an adhesion does not automatically mean that surgery is required. Treatment decisions depend on symptoms, complications and the individual’s circumstances.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Make an appointment with a healthcare professional if you have unexplained or recurring abdominal pain, especially if you have previously undergone abdominal or pelvic surgery.
You should seek urgent medical attention if you develop:
- Severe abdominal pain or cramping
- Repeated vomiting
- Major abdominal swelling
- Inability to pass gas or stool
- Severe constipation with worsening abdominal symptoms
- Fever or a rapid heartbeat alongside suspected obstruction
These symptoms can indicate an intestinal obstruction or another serious abdominal condition and should not be managed at home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Abdominal Adhesions
Can abdominal adhesions cause bloating?
Yes. Adhesions can contribute to bloating when they interfere with normal intestinal movement or cause an obstruction. Bloating can also have many other causes.
Can constipation be caused by adhesions?
Adhesions can contribute to constipation when they interfere with the intestine, particularly if they cause partial obstruction. However, constipation has many possible causes.
Do adhesions cause gas?
Adhesions do not necessarily cause gas directly. If they interfere with intestinal movement, however, gas may become difficult to pass.
Is surgery always needed for abdominal adhesions?
No. Most adhesions do not require treatment. Surgery may be considered when adhesions cause significant complications, such as bowel obstruction.
Can surgery for adhesions cause more adhesions?
Yes. Surgery can itself lead to the formation of new adhesions. This is one reason doctors carefully weigh the benefits and risks before performing adhesiolysis.
What is adhesiolysis?
Adhesiolysis is a surgical procedure used to separate or release abdominal adhesions. It may be performed laparoscopically or through open surgery, depending on the circumstances.
Can abdominal adhesions be seen on a CT scan?
CT scans generally cannot directly show adhesions. However, CT imaging can identify complications such as intestinal obstruction and may help doctors determine its location and severity.
Final Thoughts
This Abdominal Adhesions FAQ shows why these internal bands of scar-like tissue can be difficult to identify. Many people have adhesions without symptoms, while others may experience chronic abdominal pain or complications.
A history of abdominal surgery, pelvic surgery, infection or inflammatory disease can increase the likelihood of adhesions. However, symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation and bloating have many possible causes.
The most important warning sign is a possible intestinal obstruction. Severe abdominal pain, vomiting, major swelling or an inability to pass stool or gas requires urgent medical assessment.
If you have ongoing symptoms, speak with a qualified healthcare professional rather than trying to diagnose adhesions yourself. Treatment should be based on the cause of your symptoms and the presence or absence of complications.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is intended for general educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Abdominal pain and digestive symptoms can have many causes. Seek urgent medical attention for severe pain, persistent vomiting, significant abdominal swelling or an inability to pass stool or gas.
