Our approach
Not all adhesions require surgery.
At MSI, we carefully analyze the symptoms and examination results and rule out other possible causes of pain or impaired bowel function. If adhesive disease leads to recurrent bowel obstruction or significantly impairs quality of life, surgical treatment is considered. Whenever possible, we give preference to laparoscopic adhesiolysis.
What is adhesive disease?
Adhesions are scar-like connective tissue that forms between the abdominal organs after surgery, inflammation, or injury.
In most people, adhesions cause no symptoms. However, they can sometimes restrict the movement of the bowel, compress it, or interfere with the normal function of the abdominal organs.
Why does adhesive disease develop?
The most common causes are:
- abdominal surgery
- acute peritonitis
- appendicitis
- diverticulitis
- pelvic inflammatory diseases
- abdominal injuries
- intra-abdominal bleeding
The risk of adhesions increases after major open operations, although they can also form after laparoscopic procedures.
Symptoms
Adhesive disease may present with:
- recurrent or persistent abdominal pain
- bloating
- discomfort after eating
- episodes of nausea or vomiting
- constipation
- episodes of bowel obstruction
In many cases, adhesions cause no symptoms and are an incidental finding during surgery.
When to see a doctor
A consultation is recommended if:
- you have repeated episodes of bowel obstruction
- you have chronic pain after previous operations
- you have bloating and bowel movement problems
- adhesive bowel obstruction is suspected
- the indications for surgical treatment need to be determined
How is the diagnosis made?
The following are used to establish the diagnosis:
- consultation with a surgeon
- laboratory tests
- ultrasound examination
- abdominal computed tomography
- magnetic resonance imaging when indicated
- diagnostic laparoscopy in complex cases
It is important to understand that adhesions themselves are often not visible on CT or MRI. The diagnosis is based on the clinical picture, medical history, and exclusion of other causes of the symptoms.
How is adhesive disease treated?
The treatment strategy depends on the severity of the symptoms.
Options may include:
- monitoring
- medication
- treatment of bowel obstruction
- laparoscopic or open adhesiolysis (division of adhesions)
Surgery is performed only when the expected benefit outweighs the risk of new adhesions forming.
Surgical treatment
When indicated, at MSI we perform:
- laparoscopic adhesiolysis
- open adhesiolysis in complex cases
- surgery for adhesive bowel obstruction
- bowel resection in case of irreversible damage (if necessary)
During surgery, we use the gentlest possible surgical techniques and modern methods to prevent adhesions from forming again.
Recovery after treatment
After laparoscopic operations, patients return to physical activity and their normal diet more quickly.
At MSI, ERAS protocols are used to reduce postoperative pain, shorten the hospital stay, and speed up recovery.
Why choose MSI
- Specialization in laparoscopic abdominal surgery
- Extensive experience in treating adhesive bowel obstruction
- An individual approach to determining the indications for surgery
- Use of modern minimally invasive techniques
- Enhanced recovery protocols (ERAS)
- Comprehensive patient support before and after surgery
Frequently Asked Questions
No. If adhesions cause no symptoms or complications, surgery is not needed.
Yes. Any operation can lead to new adhesions. That is why surgery is performed only when there are clear indications, and techniques that minimize this risk are used during the procedure.
Not always. In most cases, CT reveals indirect signs of adhesive disease or its complications, while the adhesions themselves are often not visible.
No. Most adhesions never cause any clinical problems. Only some patients develop pain, recurrent bowel obstruction, or other complications.
For most patients, well-chosen surgical treatment eliminates the cause of bowel obstruction or significantly improves quality of life. At the same time, it is important to remember that adhesive disease can recur, so the indications for surgery must always be well founded.