Abdominal adhesions are bands of scar tissue that form between abdominal tissues and organs. Like the name suggests, the tissue can cause your organs to “adhere,” or stick together. Adhesions commonly form after abdominal surgery. Typically, you don’t need treatment unless they cause a complication, like a small bowel obstruction.
Abdominal adhesions are bands of scar tissue that form between the organs in your belly and pelvis. Mainly, they form between loops of your small intestine. They can also form between an organ and the wall of your abdominal cavity.
Your abdominal cavity contains your:
Adhesions occur when there’s injury or inflammation in your abdomen. They can even form from normal handling during surgery. In fact, they’re most common after abdominal surgery. As a natural part of healing, scar tissue forms that can cause tissues to stiffen and stick together (“adhere”).
Abdominal adhesions are the most common consequence of having surgery on your abdomen. The majority of people develop adhesions after abdominal surgery. But most people don’t need treatment unless they’re experiencing symptoms.
Adhesions are also the most common cause of a small bowel obstruction. A bowel obstruction is a medical emergency that involves complete or partial blockage in your intestines.
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Most adhesions don’t cause symptoms. Sometimes, though, abdominal adhesions can cause your intestines to twist, similar to how a garden hose can become kinked. This can occur shortly after or even years after surgery and lead to a small bowel obstruction.
With obstruction, food, liquid, air and waste can’t pass through your intestines. You may notice symptoms such as:
Get to an emergency room (ER) immediately if you’re experiencing symptoms of a small bowel obstruction. It can be life-threatening without emergency care.
Abdominal adhesions form after your body repairs injured tissue inside your abdominal cavity. They’re like internal scars. If an organ or tissue inside your abdominal cavity is damaged, your immune system triggers inflammation to heal the tissue. As part of the healing process, the damaged tissue forms scar tissue.
Unlike the scars that form when you skin your knee, adhesions in your abdomen don’t peel and fade as if they were never there. Instead, damaged surfaces can stick together.
Approximately 75% of diagnosed adhesions form as a result of abdominal surgery. But they can form in response to any injury, condition or treatment that causes inflammation in your abdomen, including:
The biggest risk factor associated with abdominal adhesions is abdominal surgery, especially:
Most adhesions don’t cause problems. But when they do, the complications can be serious.
Complications include:
Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history. Symptoms like abdominal pain and a history of abdominal surgery may cause your provider to suspect adhesions.
Imaging technology can’t detect abdominal adhesions. But these studies can detect intestinal blockages that may be related to adhesions.
Surgery is the only way to know for sure if you have adhesions.
Most adhesions don’t cause symptoms or require treatment.
Also, additional surgeries cause more adhesions. Think of it this way. Your surgeon can cut bands of tissue that are stuck together so that they become “unstuck.” But as soon as the operation is done, there’s no way to prevent the tissue from sticking together again.
For that reason, your healthcare provider will likely avoid surgery unless there’s a major medical problem that needs to be fixed, like a bowel obstruction. You may also need surgery to remove uterine adhesions that prevent you from getting pregnant.
There’s nothing you or your surgeon can do to prevent abdominal adhesions.
However, adhesions are less common with laparoscopic surgery because of the smaller cuts. Increasingly, surgeons choose laparoscopic surgery over open surgery for many abdominal procedures.
Your surgeon may also place barriers between tissue surfaces during surgery to prevent scar tissue from causing them to stick together. These barriers come in solid, liquid, gel and spray forms that dissolve in your body. Still, even with barriers, scar tissue is an unavoidable part of the healing process.
Research is ongoing to locate solutions that can reduce scarring that leads to complications.
You may have extensive abdominal adhesions and never have any symptoms at all. But you may need surgery if you have repeated bowel obstructions or a complete blockage.
Some abdominal adhesions improve on their own over time. And unless they’re causing problems, healthcare providers usually choose to avoid removing them.
But sometimes, surgery is necessary, despite the risks of developing more adhesions. Your healthcare provider can help you weigh the pros and cons based on your symptoms.
Your healthcare provider may recommend over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications. Or, they may refer you to a pain specialist if you have painful abdominal adhesions.
Some studies suggest that a form of physical therapy called soft tissue mobilization can help reduce adhesion-related pain. More research is needed to understand the potential benefits of this therapy.
The only way to break up the scar tissue is through surgery to remove the adhesions. Your healthcare provider will talk you through the potential benefits and risks of surgery based on your symptoms.
There aren’t “bad” foods you should avoid if you have adhesions. If you have a partial bowel obstruction, your provider may recommend you eat soft foods or foods low in fiber. These foods can pass through your intestines more easily.
Contact your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing unexplained abdominal pain or if you’re having trouble pooping or passing gas. You may have adhesions or a partial bowel obstruction.
A complete bowel obstruction is life-threatening. If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately:
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Abdominal adhesions are common after operations involving your abdominal organs. Fortunately, most adhesions never cause any problems. But if you’re noticing signs of a potential bowel obstruction, like abdominal pain or trouble passing gas or pooping, seek emergency care immediately. Even years after surgery, this scar-like tissue can cause problems. Knowing the warning signs can prompt you to get the help you need fast.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 04/01/2024.
Learn more about our editorial process.
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy