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Abdominal Adhesions

Mark Stephens, MD MS Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

  • Pathologic bands of scar tissue that form between two previously separated structures within the abdomen

  • Adhesions most commonly occur between:

    • Omentum

    • Bowel loops

    • Abdominal wall

    • Foreign Body (i.e.,...

DIAGNOSIS

Adhesions are primarily diagnosed through patient history and/or intraoperatively. The number of adhesions does not correlate with symptoms. 
ALERT

SBO in patients without a history of abdomin...

TREATMENT

SURGERY/OTHER PROCEDURES

  • Nasogastric decompression for patients with suspected partial SBO without specific indications for surgery (4)[A]

  • Adhesiolysis

    • Performed for symptomatic complications ...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Follow up with primary physician

  • Refer to surgery if bowel obstruction is suspected or found on imaging

PATIENT EDUCATION

Educate patient who has had abdominal surge...

REFERENCES

1
Tabibian N, Swehli E, Boyd A, et al.  Abdominal adhesions: a practical review of an often overlooked entity. Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2017;15:9-13. . doi: 10.1016/j.amsu.2017.01.021 ...

SEE ALSO

Algorithms: Infertility; Intestinal Obstruction 

CODES

ICD10

  • K66.0 Peritoneal adhesions (postprocedural) (postinfection)

SNOMED

  • 30689000 Adhesion of abdominal wall

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Abdominal adhesions result primarily from abdominal infection or trauma (including surgery).

  • Most adhesions are asymptomatic; the most common complication is bowel obstruction (partial ...

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