The primary medical cause of adhesions is inflammation within the abdomen, most commonly triggered by abdominal surgery.
Adhesions are bands of scar tissue that form between organs or between organs and the abdominal wall, causing them to stick together. While they can arise from various factors, a significant majority are linked to surgical interventions.
Key Medical Causes of Adhesions
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Abdominal Surgery: Approximately 75% of diagnosed adhesions form as a direct result of abdominal surgery. This is because surgical procedures involve cutting and manipulating tissues, which can lead to an inflammatory response and subsequent scar tissue formation as part of the healing process.
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Inflammation in the Abdomen: Beyond surgery, adhesions can develop in response to any injury, condition, or treatment that causes inflammation within the abdominal cavity. This inflammatory process triggers the body's natural healing mechanism, which can sometimes lead to excessive scar tissue that bridges normally separate tissues.
Specific examples of inflammatory conditions that can cause adhesions include:
- Abdominal or Pelvic Infections: Infections in the peritoneal cavity (the space containing abdominal organs) or the pelvic region can lead to widespread inflammation.
- Appendicitis: An inflamed appendix can cause localized or broader inflammation in the abdomen, potentially leading to adhesions, especially if the appendix ruptures.
- Other less common inflammatory causes might include conditions like endometriosis, radiation therapy to the abdomen, or trauma.
In essence, any event that disrupts the smooth, non-adherent surfaces of the peritoneum and triggers a healing response in the abdomen can potentially lead to the formation of adhesions.
