Post-operative bowel obstruction - Part 1: Intraperitoneal bands and adhesions-causes and prevention

Postoperative peritoneal bands and adhesions are very common and may occur after any surgical procedure within the peritoneal cavity. Certain factors have been shown to contribute to their formation. The abdominal surgeon should take account of these factors in his daily practice; a reasoned and preventive surgical approach and the use of techniques and products with proven clinical efficacity are to be recommended. This should permit the surgeon to simplify and minimize post surgical work and to diminish the incidence and complications of adhesions in both the immediate and long-term post-operative periods such as post-surgical pain syndromes, mechanical bowel obstruction, and adhesive peritonitis complicating reinterventional surgery.