Health Conditions

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Adhesion

Definition

Adhesions are bands of scar-like tissue that form between two surfaces inside the body.


Causes

Inflammation, surgery, or injury can cause tissues to bond to other tissue or organs, much like the process of forming scar tissue. Sometimes, adhesions can form between the two surfaces. Other causes of adhesions include:

  • Abdominal surgery
  • Appendicitis
  • Endometriosis
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Symptoms

Symptoms depend on the disorder or event that caused the adhesion.


Treatment

Surgery may be done to separate the adhesions. This often allows normal movement of the organ and reduces the symptoms caused by the adhesion. However, the risk for more adhesions increases as the number of surgeries increases.


Prognosis

The outcome is usually good.