Adhesions are bands of scar tissue that bind together tissues of the body that are not normally connected to each other. This scar tissue is primarily found in the abdomen and is often due to abdominal surgery, especially if there have been repeated surgical procedures performed on this area of the body. Adhesion treatment options include Chinese herbal treatment, a manual technique known as the Wurn Technique, and surgery.
Chinese herbal medicine is a popular adhesion treatment for those who prefer more natural medical solutions or those who want to try to avoid the necessity of surgery. Due to the risk of adhesion development following surgical procedures, this adhesion treatment option is often employed immediately following surgery in an effort to prevent new scar tissue from developing. It is also used to heal adhesions that have already developed. The herbal combination for this method of treatment generally consists of rhubarb, mirabilitum, chih-shih, and magnolia, although there are some modified mixtures available. A certified herbalist should be consulted for the proper dosage, and as with any other herbal treatment, this combination should be taken only under the supervision of a physician.
The Wurn Technique has become a popular adhesion treatment option among those wishing to avoid surgery. This is a physical therapy technique designed to reduce the presence of scar tissue, thus lessening the amount of pain felt by the patient and often eliminating the need for additional surgery. There have been several published clinical trials suggesting great promise for the future of this type of adhesion treatment.
Surgical intervention is the most common form of adhesion treatment, even though this treatment option carries the risk of the formation of additional scar tissue. There are two predominant methods of surgery, laparoscopy and laparotomy. With a laparoscopy, a small hole is cut into the abdominal wall. A camera is then inserted into the hole to verify the presence of adhesions. Once confirmed, it may be necessary for the surgeon to make additional small holes through which to insert the instruments in order to remove the adhesions.
A laparotomy is performed when the surgeon determines that a laparoscopy is not in the best interests of the patient. This is an open procedure, so the incision is much larger. This helps the surgeon to see the adhesions better, but it also requires a longer recovery time for the patient. This procedure carries a higher risk of the patient developing further adhesions than laparoscopy.