How are adhesions and adhesion related disease different?

From: Helen Dynda (olddad66@runestone.net)
Mon Mar 26 09:18:05 2001


Dear Jessica, "How are adhesions and adhesion related disease different?" Adhesion-related disorder ( ARD ) is just a broad classification of causes of adhesions.

In other words, adhesions are the natural outcome of adhesion-related disorder ( ARD ). Surgery of ANY KIND is the number one cause of adhesions!! Specific diseases/disorders that cause adhesions are: Endometriosis and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease ( PID ).

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What are adhesions?

Adhesions are fibrous bands connecting structures that are normally separate. Adhesions develop as normal tissue responds to some form of injury.

Why are adhesions a problem?

Adhesions can lead to a variety of complications which include pelvic pain, infertility, bowel obstruction and prolonged operative and recovery times.

Why do adhesions form?

Some of the causes of adhesion formation are:

Trauma

Ischemia

Foreign Bodies

Hemorrhage

Raw Surfaces

Infection

TRAUMA is frequently a major contributor to the formation of adhesions. It has been shown that adhesions which form or develop after surgery are a result of the body's normal healing process.

During a surgical procedure blood flow often must be disrupted by the cutting, coagulation or tying of sutures. This disruption can result in ISCHEMIA ( lack of blood supply ). This can also lead to inflammation and cause adhesion formation.

FOREIGN BODIES can also cause an inflammatory reaction in the body. A foreign body can be suture material, lint from sponges, or talc from gloves. Local cells respond to the foreign body causing cells to release factors that incite an inflammatory reaction and adhesions may result.

HEMORRHAGE or bleeding brings blood products into the operating field. The RAW SURFACES from the operation plus the blood from tissues can enhance the formation of adhesions.

INFECTION from a variety of sources, endometriosis, or pelvic inflammatory disease can cause inflammation which results in adhesion formation.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION...GO TO:

[] Adhesions Home Page

http://www.adhesions.com/patient.html

* What can be done?

* Microsurgical Techniques

* Chemical Methods

* Barrier Methods

* What is INTERCEED* ( TC7 ) Absorbable Adhesion Barrier?

* Clinical Studies ( 1 )


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