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Question 18#

What is FALSE about peritoneal adhesions?

A. Most peritoneal adhesions are a result of intra-abdominal surgery
B. Intra-abdominal adhesions are the most common cause of small bowel obstruction
C. Operations in the upper abdomen have a higher chance of causing adhesions that cause small bowel obstruction, especially involving the jejunum
D. Adhesions are a leading cause of secondary infertility in women

Correct Answer is C

Comment:

Peritoneal adhesions are fibrous bands of tissues formed between organs that are normally separated and/or between organs and the internal body wall. Most intra-abdominal adhesions are a result of peritoneal injury, either by a prior surgical procedure or due to intra-abdominal infection. Postmortem examinations demonstrate adhesions in 67% of patients with prior surgical procedures and in 28% with a history of intra-abdominal infection. Intra -abdominal adhesions are the most common cause ( 65-75%) of small bowel obstruction, especially in the ileum. Operations in the lower abdomen have a higher chance of producing small bowel obstruction. Following rectal surgery, left colectomy, or total colectomy, there is an 1 1% chance of developing small bowel obstruction within 1 year, and this rate increases to 30% by 10 years. Adhesions also are a leading cause of secondary infertility in women and can cause substantial abdominal and pelvic pain. Adhesions account for 2% of all surgical admissions and 3% of all laparotomies in general surgery.