Postoperative adhesions in gynecologic surgery: a committee opinion

Abstract

Postoperative adhesions are a natural consequence of surgical tissue trauma and healing and may result in infertility, pain, and bowel obstruction. Adherence to microsurgical principles and minimally invasive surgery may help to decrease postoperative adhesions. Some surgical barriers have been demonstrated to be effective for reducing postoperative adhesions, but there is no substantial evidence that their use improves fertility, decreases pain, or reduces the incidence of postoperative bowel obstruction. This document replaces the document, "Pathogenesis, consequences, and control of peritoneal adhesions in gynecologic surgery: a committee opinion," last published in 2013.