Chronic abdominal or pelvic pain, intestinal obstruction and female infertility.
1 Abdominal adhesions are bands of tissue that form between abdominal tissues and organs, causing tissues and organs to stick together. 2  Although most adhesions cause no symptoms or problems, others cause chronic abdominal or pelvic pain, bowel obstruction, or female infertility. The most common causes of obstruction are adhesions, hernias, and tumors; a small-bowel obstruction in the absence of prior surgery or hernias is often caused by a tumor. Vomiting and third spacing of fluid cause volume depletion. The intestines are part of the digestive system. Abdominal adhesions can cause an intestinal obstruction. Although most adhesions cause no symptoms or problems, others cause chronic abdominal or pelvic pain. Adhesions are also a major cause of intestinal obstruction and female infertility. Abdominal adhesions can cause an intestinal obstruction. Although most adhesions cause no symptoms or problems, others cause chronic abdominal or pelvic pain. Adhesions are also a major cause of intestinal obstruction and female infertility. Paralytic ileus, also called pseudo-obstruction, is one of the major causes of intestinal obstruction in infants and children. Causes of paralytic ileus may include: 1  Bacteria or viruses that cause intestinal infections (gastroenteritis). 2  Chemical, electrolyte, or mineral imbalances (such as decreased potassium levels). Abdominal adhesions that do not cause symptoms generally do not require treatment. Surgery is the only way to treat abdominal adhesions that cause pain, intestinal obstruction, or fertility problems. More surgery, however, carries the risk of additional abdominal adhesions. Abdominal adhesions are bands of ibrous tissue that can form between abdominal tissues and organs. Normally, internal tissues and organs have slippery surfaces, preventing them from sticking together as the body moves. However, abdominal adhesions cause tissues and organs in the abdominal cavity to stick together. Tumors, scar tissue (adhesions), or twisting or narrowing of the intestines can cause a bowel obstruction. These are called mechanical obstructions. In the small intestine, scar tissue is most often the cause. Mechanical causes of intestinal obstruction may include: 1  Adhesions or scar tissue that forms after surgery. 2  Foreign bodies (objects that are swallowed and block the intestines). 3  Gallstones (rare). 4  Hernias. 5  Impacted stool. 6  Intussusception (telescoping of one segment of bowel into another). 1 Abdominal adhesions: Abdominal adhesions are a common complication of surgery, occurring in up to 93% of people who undergo abdominal or pelvic surgery. 2  Abdominal adhesions also occur in about 10% of people who have never had surgery. 3  Most adhesions are painless and do not cause complications.
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causes of intestinal adhesions