Adhesions and Small Bowel Obstruction

Bowel obstruction is a blockage in the small or large intestine (bowel) that prevents the normal flow of bodily waste through the intestines. Adhesions can cause small bowel obstruction by changing the orientation of the small bowel, creating “kinks” that obstruct the flow of intestinal contents or constrict the small bowel. Up to 75% of small bowel obstructions are caused by adhesions.¹

Adhesive small bowel obstruction is a serious condition that should be treated promptly, and that may recur frequently.² In some cases, adhesive small bowel obstruction may require emergency surgery, including adhesiolysis – a procedure to cut through the adhesions causing the problem – or surgical resection of the affected small bowel.

Adhesiolysis Severing of adhesive band(s); performed by either laparotomy (open surgery) or laparoscopy. Full glossary

Adhesions Internal scars that may form after surgery on or between internal organs and/or body tissue. Adhesions between tissues can twist and pull organs out of their normal places. Full glossary

1. Scovill WA. Small bowel obstruction. In: Cameron JL, ed. Current Therapy in Surgery. St Louis, MO: Mosby Yearbook Medical Publishers, Inc. 1995: 100-104.

 

2. Tingsted, B, Isaksson J, Andersson R. Long-term follow-up and cost analysis following surgery for small bowel obstruction caused by intra-abdominal adhesions. Br J Surg. 2008;94(6):743-8.