Why is this procedure done?
Adhesions are scar tissue that sometimes forms inside your belly or pelvis. This happens after you have surgery and your organs and tissues are touched and moved. Any belly or pelvic surgery can cause adhesions. Often, there are no signs of the adhesions for many years after the surgery. You can also have adhesions after an infection or swelling. They may be painful and can make it hard for you to get pregnant. Adhesions may also cause problems with how the bowels work. They may cause a blockage or just slow down your digestion. ‚
Lysis, or cutting of adhesions, is a surgery needed to treat adhesions. It may be done through an open or laparoscopic procedure. It is done to: ‚
- Remove the scar tissue
- To help resolve problems that may be caused by the adhesion
- Separate organs and tissues that are stuck together
- Prevent the chances for bowel obstruction
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What will the results be?
Lysis of adhesions will remove the scar tissue in your belly and pelvis. You may have less pain. Removal of adhesions can prevent the chance of other health problems from happening. It may improve your chances for becoming pregnant. ‚
What happens before the procedure?
- Your doctor will take your history. Talk to the doctor about:
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor if you have any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin, ibuprofen, Aleve (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
- If you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure.
- Your doctor will do an exam and may order:
- Lab tests
- Ultrasound
- CT or MRI scan
- You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home.
What happens during the procedure?
- Once you are in the operating room, the staff will put an I.V. in your arm to give you fluids and drugs. You will be given a drug to make you sleepy. It will also help you stay pain free during the surgery.
- When you are asleep, your doctor will put a tube in your mouth to help you breathe. They may also put another small tube in your nose. This one goes down to your stomach to drain out any food or fluid that might come out during surgery. You may have a tube in your bladder to drain urine.
- Laparoscopic:
- Your doctor will make 3 to 4 small cuts in your belly. A scope with a tiny camera is put through one of the small cuts to look at the adhesions. Your doctor will put small surgical tools into the holes to do the procedure. To be able to view the site, gas will be put in the abdomen. Then, the adhesions will be removed.
- Open surgery:
- Your doctor will make a large cut on your belly. Your doctor will have direct access to cut the adhesions. After removing all adhesions, the doctor will remove the tubes and surgical tools used.
- Your doctor will close your cut with stitches or staples and cover it with clean bandages.
- The procedure takes 1 to 3 hours.
What happens after the procedure?
- You will go to the Recovery Room and the staff will watch you closely. You may have to stay in the hospital for 1 to 3 days. Patients who have laparoscopic surgery often go home the same day as the surgery.
- Later that day or the next, you will get out of bed and sit on a chair. The staff will help you begin to walk around. Doing coughing and deep breathing exercises will help keep your lungs clear. You will get drugs to help with your pain.
- If there was a blockage in your bowels from the adhesions, the tube in your nose may stay in for a few days. This will keep your belly empty and give your stomach and bowels time to heal. The doctor will take the tube out when your belly is working well and you hear gurgling sounds. Then, you will slowly start eating again.
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex
- Be sure to wash your hands before touching your wound or dressing.
- Use a small pillow to put pressure on your belly. This can make you more comfortable when you cough, laugh, or do other actions.
- Keep doing your coughing and breathing exercises.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- Take small light meals like soup, toast, or cereals, and slowly increase your intake to your normal diet.
- Eat foods high in fiber like fruits and vegetables to avoid straining during bowel movements.
- Drink 8 to 10 glasses of fluids each day unless your doctor limits your fluids.
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Pneumonia
- Hard stools and belly gas pain
- Belly or bladder injury
- Hernia may develop
- Scarring
- Blood clot in the leg
- Adhesions may reform
Where can I learn more?
Healthy Women ‚
http://www.healthywomen.org/content/article/surgical-adhesions-gynecologic-surgery ‚
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse ‚
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/intestinaladhesions/index.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚