types of adhesions
Last reviewed 01/2018
There are two types of adhesion, fibrinous and fibrous.
The adhesions that form early, often in the first postoperative week are made of fibrin and are termed fibrinous adhesions. These may be transient phenomena.
Some of these fibrinous adhesions however may then organise and become fibrous adhesions. These are more permanent and may present with bowel obstruction months or years after initial surgery.
Bowel obstruction caused by either fibrinous or fibrous adhesions may settle with conservative management, though on occasion, a laparotomy may be necessary.