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What is Lysis of Adhesion?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Lysis of adhesion is a surgical option for adhesion treatment where the surgeon cuts the adhesions to separate them. Adhesions are tough bands of fibrous scar tissue that form connections between organs and other structures inside the body. They can lead to a variety of complications including torsion, where organs twist in place, and separation of the adhesions is often the only way to resolve these complications. Treatment of adhesions was historically complicated because surgery can increase the risk of developing adhesions, and surgeons were often reluctant to operate for fear it could make the internal scarring worse. Advances in surgical treatment have made lysis of adhesion an option for treatment.

Adhesions can cause chronic pain, discomfort, and bowel obstructions. Most commonly, they are caused by trauma, including surgery, and in a patient with these symptoms, a history of trauma is a strong indicator that adhesions are present. Conservative approaches to treatment are generally attempted first but if they are not effective, lysis of adhesion may be recommended.

Advances in surgical treatment have made lysis of adhesion a viable option.
Advances in surgical treatment have made lysis of adhesion a viable option.

In a patient with suspected adhesions, the procedure can be done laparoscopically, through a series of small incisions to introduce tools, or with a laparotomy, where a single small incision is made to access the site. The surgeon looks inside, severs connections formed by adhesions, and may add special packing or gauze to decrease the risk the adhesions will reform after the surgery. This procedure is performed with the use of general anesthesia.

Lysis of adhesion is conducted under general anesthesia.
Lysis of adhesion is conducted under general anesthesia.

Recovery time varies, depending on the patient's overall physical condition before the surgery and the number of adhesions present. People will usually be advised to rest at first and then begin gentle exercise to prevent blood clots and similar complications of surgery. Manipulative therapy may be recommended to discourage the development of new adhesions after the procedure, if a surgeon feels this option is helpful for surgical recovery. Once patients are fully recovered, they can resume normal activities.

Adhesions can cause chronic pain and bowel obstructions.
Adhesions can cause chronic pain and bowel obstructions.

The risks of lysis of adhesions include adverse reactions to anesthesia, the development of infections, and the recurrence of adhesions. The reappearance of scar tissue is not a sign of surgical incompetence, as even very skilled surgeons with years of experience can see the development of new scar tissue in their patients. The mechanisms behind why adhesions form in some patients and not in others, and how they form in the first place, are not entirely understood. Improvements in surgical practices appear to have reduced the risks of initial adhesion formation, but these risks have not been eliminated.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

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    • Advances in surgical treatment have made lysis of adhesion a viable option.
      By: Tom Wang
      Advances in surgical treatment have made lysis of adhesion a viable option.
    • Lysis of adhesion is conducted under general anesthesia.
      By: uwimages
      Lysis of adhesion is conducted under general anesthesia.
    • Adhesions can cause chronic pain and bowel obstructions.
      By: michaeljung
      Adhesions can cause chronic pain and bowel obstructions.