Reduction, Regrowth, and de novo Formation of Abdominal Adhesions after Laparoscopic Adhesiolysis: A Prospective Analysis

<i>Aim:</i> A significant reduction of abdominal adhesions at second-look relaparoscopy after adhesiolysis in patients with chronic abdominal pain. <i>Methods:</i> 368 patients underwent laparoscopic adhesiolysis because of chronic abdominal pain. Regrowth and de novo abdominal adhesions were determined in a qualitative and quantitative way in 24 patients who underwent a second-look re-laparoscopy because of recurrent pain after a mean period of 16 months after the first laparoscopic adhesiolysis. Reduction of incidence, extent, type, and severity of abdominal adhesions between organs and abdominal wall and de novo adhesion formation were determined. <i>Results:</i> Incidence (40 vs. 26), extent, type, and severity of abdominal adhesions between organs and abdominal wall are significantly reduced after laparoscopic adhesiolysis. After adhesiolysis of adhesions between organs themselves, no significant reduction could be demonstrated (incidence 40 vs. 32). De novo adhesions were present in 5 (5/24) patients. <i>Conclusion:</i> Laparoscopic adhesiolysis results in a significant reduction of adhesions between organs and abdominal wall, despite the occurrence of de novo adhesions in about 20% of the patients.