Sometimes adhesions are present from birth. Usually they occur as part of the healing that takes place after surgery, particularly abdominal surgery. Adhesions can also form after inflammation in the abdomen or pelvis. Adhesions in the abdomen pull on parts of the intestines and sometimes cause an obstruction. Your doctor will examine you, take your medical history, and possibly x-ray your abdomen.
Adhesions are often difficult to diagnose.
You may even need surgery to enable the doctor to make the diagnosis. You may need surgery to cut away the adhesions, depending on how much they interfere with normal organ function. The kind of operation depends on the location of the adhesions. There is always a risk that new adhesions will form after surgery for existing adhesions. Follow your doctor's recommendations for activity after surgery.