Preventing adhesions in laparoscopic surgery: the role of anti‐adhesion agents.

Abstract

KEY CONTENT: Surgical injury causes the release of cytokines, growth factors, cell adhesion molecules and histamine, creating an inflammatory response, which can lead to adhesion formation in the peritoneal cavity. Compared with open surgery, laparoscopy reduces the risk of adhesion formation, but the risk is not completely eliminated. Adhesion formation is multifactorial and depends on patient healing, surgical technique and equipment factors. Adhesions after gynaecological surgery can have long‐term consequences including small bowel obstruction, chronic pelvic pain, deep dyspareunia and female subfertility. There are a variety of anti‐adhesion agents with different properties available for use in laparoscopic surgery.