Peritoneal Adhesions

Adhesions can cause a wide range of problems, complaints and hazards, even after simple abdominal procedures, such as appendectomy, with complications ranging from recurrent discomfort and pain to intestinal obstruction. Postsurgical adhesions increase the risk of following operations of the abdominal and thoracic cavity. They impair peritoneal dialysis and chemotherapy and play a crucial part in laparoscopic procedures. Minimally invasive surgery is advocated to reduce adhesion formation, extensive adhesions, however, can render the laparoscopic approach impossible. Adhesion-related problems account for a large amount of clinical work and have a significant socioeconomic impact. This book presents the current knowledge of the aetiopathogenesis of adhesion formation as well as the methods available for their prevention and control. Experts in the field report on the clinical standards of preventive measures to control the formation of postoperative adhesions.