Adhesions are bands of scar-like tissue that form between two surfaces inside the body and cause them to stick together.

As the body moves, tissues or organs inside are normally able to shift around each other. This is because these tissues have slippery surfaces.

Pelvic adhesion; Intraperitoneal adhesion; Intrauterine adhesion

Inflammation (swelling), surgery, or injury can cause adhesions to form almost anywhere in the body, including:

• In joints such as the shoulder
• In the eyes
• Inside the abdomen or pelvis

Once they form, adhesions can become larger or tighter over time. Symptoms or other problems may occur if the adhesions cause an organ or body part to twist, pull out of position, or be unable to move as well.

The risk of forming adhesions is high after bowel or female organ surgeries. Surgery using a laparascope is less likely than open surgery to cause adhesions.

Other causes of adhesions in the abdomen or pelvis:

• Appendicitis , most often when the appendix breaks open (ruptures)
• Cancer
• Endometriosis
• Infections in the abdomen and pelvis
• Radiation treatment

Adhesions may form around joints such as the shoulder (see adhesive capsulitis) or ankles, or in ligaments and tendons. This problem may happen:

• After surgery or trauma
• With certain types of arthritis
• With overuse of a joint or tendon

Images

Pelvic adhesions

Ovarian cyst

Next Section

Adhesion Symptoms

Review Date: 03/30/2010
Reviewed By: Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington. Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Unviersity of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)