Adhesive small bowel obstruction

Abstract Adhesions are part of the normal healing process, but they can also cause many problems. Overall, adhesions are responsible for the highest number of serious surgical complications following abdominal surgery. These range from pain, time off work, and psychological issues, to malabsorption and failure to thrive in children. The ultimate surgical complication of adhesion formation is small bowel obstruction. This leads to further hospital admissions, further surgical interventions (leading to more adhesions), and greater morbidity. Because of the frequency and severity of adhesions, it is important for surgeons to consider strategies to reduce their formation at the time of the index operation. There is increasing experimental and clinical evidence that surgical technique, laparoscopic surgery, and use of selected therapeutic agents can reduce their incidence in specific indications.