[Surgical measures for preventing abdominal adhesions]

The extent of intraabdominal adhesions can be limited by reducing the degree of operative trauma. This may be achieved by: prevention of ischaemia, moistening of the peritoneal surface, gentle handling of tissue, and the use of thin atraumatic suture material. The most recent development, minimally invasive surgery, reduces the actual area of operative trauma, and possibly lessens the risk of postoperative adhesions. Should a re-laparotomy be indicated for complaints due to adhesions, the laparoscopic approach to adhesiolysis has increased in importance.