What are Lysis of Adhesions?

Adhesions are scars that form within the body. They usually form in the abdomen or pelvis. Adhesions develop naturally after surgery as part of the healing process. They can also develop after infection or any other inflammatory process, such as:

• Endometriosis
• Diverticulitis
• Appendicitis

Lysis of adhesions is the process of cutting scar tissue within the body. This is done to restore normal function and reduce pain.

Laparoscopic Cutting of Bowel Adhesions © 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Adhesions can cause:

• Pain
• Obstruction of the bowel
• Infertility

This surgery can fix intestinal blockage and treat infertility caused by adhesions. It also reduces chronic abdominal pain in some individuals.

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have lysis of adhesions, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Injury to organs
• Worse adhesions
• Bleeding
• Infection

Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Pre-existing heart or lung condition
• Obesity
• Major abdominal surgery in the past
• Smoking
• Diabetes

Be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor before the surgery.

Call Your Doctor

After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills
• Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge from the incision site ...