Adhesion (medicine)

	Adhesion (medicine);
MedlinePlus	001493

Editor-in-Chief: Areej Tariq

Overview

Adhesions are abnormal bands of tissue that grow in the human body. They may be thought of as internal scar tissue. In the case of frozen shoulder (also known as adhesive capsulitis) adhesions grow between the shoulder joint surfaces, restricting motion.

Abdominal adhesions are most commonly caused by abdominal surgical procedures. Endometriosis is also another cause of abdominal adhesions. These adhesions may grow over time and become attached to the walls of the abdomen, as well as to internal organs. The adhesions may cause internal organs to attach to one another as well.

One common complication of abdominal adhesions is intestinal obstruction, in which an adhesion wraps around an intestine and prevents the flow of material through the digestive tract. Depending on the severity of the obstruction, a partial obstruction may relieve itself without medical intervention. However, many obstructions, if left untreated, may result in death. It is important that in the event that an obstruction occurs, the affected individual seek medical treatment immediately. For complete obstructions, or partial obstructions that do not relieve themselves within 24 hours, surgical intervention may be required to remove the adhesion(s) via adhesiolysis. It may take months or years for adhesions to cause an obstruction post-surgery.