Abdominal Adhesions Essay

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By Jonas Wilson, Ing. Med. What are abdominal adhesions Bands of scar tissue that join two parts of tissue together that would otherwise not be physiologically joined together constitute adhesions. These abnormal connections have a plastic wrap appearance. They appear like thin sheets or thicker fibrous bands. Adhesions develop when the repair mechanisms of the body are triggered by events such as trauma, infection, radiation or surgery. They may occur anywhere in the body. However, they are most commonly found in the heart, pelvis and gastrointestinal tract. When cells responsible for repairing organ damage go to work, they typically do not distinguish between one organ and another or different parts of the same organ. Hence, any contact between the part of the organ damaged with …show more content…

Almost everyone who undergoes an an abdominal surgery may develop adhesions. These connective bands of scar tissue tend to become larger and tighter as time passes and consequently may cause problems several years after a surgery was performed. Tissue incisions, contact of internal tissues with non-biological agents like gauze and the dehydration of internal organs during surgery are just some of the reasons why adhesions may develop after an abdominal surgery. Intestinal obstruction leads to the build of food, fluid and gas in the intestines, which can cause rupture of the intestines once the pressure has built up enough to do so. The leakage of harmful intestinal contents into the abdominal cavity, if left untreated, can be fatal. Female infertility occurs when abdominal adhesions inside or in the vicinity of the fallopian tubes block eggs from reaching the uterus. These women are at an increased risk for an ectopic pregnancy, which is a pregnancy where the fetus attempts to grow outside of the womb. This is a potentially life threatening condition for the pregnant woman if hemorrhage

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