If abdominal adhesions don't cause symptoms or complications, they typically don't need treatment. If abdominal adhesions cause symptoms or complications, doctors can release the adhesions with laparoscopic or open surgery. However, surgery to treat adhesions may cause new adhesions to form.

Do adhesions get worse over time?

Adhesions can become larger and tighter as time passes, causing problems years after surgery. Surgery-induced causes of abdominal adhesions include: tissue incisions, especially those involving internal organs.

Can adhesions be treated without surgery?

Non-Surgical Adhesion Control Methods

In cases where the pain is severe or there is bowel obstruction, your doctor may suggest in-patient observation for a few days. During your stay, you may stop eating and drinking to give your bowels a rest. This will also ease the obstruction.