Which abdominal condition is most commonly caused by postoperative adhesions?

Which abdominal condition is most commonly caused by postoperative adhesions?

• A. Acute pancreatitis
• B. Gastric ulcer
• C. Small bowel obstruction
• D. Appendicitis

Answer: (D)

Postoperative adhesions are fibrous bands that form after peritoneal injury and are the most common cause of mechanical small bowel obstruction. These bands tether loops of bowel, causing kinking or external compression that narrows the lumen and impedes passage of contents. Clinically, this presents with episodic abdominal pain, vomiting, distension, and obstipation, and can progress to ischemia if a loop becomes incarcerated. Among the listed conditions, small bowel obstruction is the classic complication driven by adhesions; acute pancreatitis, gastric ulcers, and appendicitis arise from other etiologies and are not primarily caused by adhesions.

Postoperative adhesions are fibrous bands that form after peritoneal injury and are the most common cause of mechanical small bowel obstruction. These bands tether loops of bowel, causing kinking or external compression that narrows the lumen and impedes passage of contents. Clinically, this presents with episodic abdominal pain, vomiting, distension, and obstipation, and can progress to ischemia if a loop becomes incarcerated. Among the listed conditions, small bowel obstruction is the classic complication driven by adhesions; acute pancreatitis, gastric ulcers, and appendicitis arise from other etiologies and are not primarily caused by adhesions.