http://www.adlap.com/adhesions.htm Adhesions are abnormal, scar-like, fibrous tissue bands that develop after surgery between separate tissues, organs and structures in the body. They are sometimes known as intrauterine, pelvic or pericardial adhesions.
Adhesions may be the result of an episode of pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis, but most commonly are caused by previous pelvic and abdominal surgery. Adhesions cause pain through entrapment of the organs they surround, as well as disrupt bowel function, or cause infertility. The surgical management of extensive pelvic adhesions is one of the most difficult problems facing surgeons today.
Data suggests 67 to 93 percent of abdominal surgery patients will develop the condition following surgery, while 55 to 100 percent of gynecologic surgery patients will develop them.
De novo are new adhesions that may form at a site of direct surgical trauma such as an incision. They may also develop at locations away from the site of surgery, for example, around the adnexa at the time of a cesarean section. Adhesions may also reform following adhesiolysis or adhesiectomy.
Three greater types of adhesions exist, but the underlying pathophysiology is similar for each:
Filmy
Vascular
Cohesive
(NOTE: Please go to the above website to learn more about adhesions.)