Prior to Procedure

Your doctor will perform a physical exam and will probably order some of these tests:

• Blood Tests
• Ultrasound [10]—a test that uses sound waves to visualize the inside of the body
• CT Scan [11]—a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of the inside of the body
• MRI Scan [12]—a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of the inside of the body

In the days leading up to your procedure:

• Review your regular medications with the surgeon; you may need to stop taking some drugs.
• Arrange for a ride to and from the procedure.
• The night before, eat a light meal and do not eat or drink anything after midnight unless told otherwise by your doctor.
• Wear comfortable clothing.

Anesthesia

The doctor may choose to use a local anesthetic with sedation or general anesthesia.

Description of the Procedure

Lysis of adhesions is usually performed during a laparoscopy [13]. After you receive the anesthesia, the doctor will make several small incisions in the wall of your abdomen. The doctor will then use a fiberoptic instrument to see inside.

If there are any adhesions, your doctor will cut them. Doing so will free those organs (such as the ovaries) that were caught in the adhesions. If open abdominal surgery (laparotomy) is needed, you will receive a general anesthetic, and a larger incision will be made in the abdomen to allow the surgeon direct access to all the organs. It is not unusual for a laparoscopy to be converted to a laparotomy during the same operative session.

How Long Will It Take?

The surgery will take between 1 to 3 hours.

Will It Hurt ?

The injection of local anesthetic may sting or burn. The procedure itself usually does not hurt. You may experience soreness for a couple of days during recovery, but you will receive pain [6] medication to relieve this discomfort. If a laparotomy has been performed, you will have more pain [6], and the surgeon will give you more pain [6] medicine.

Possible Complications

• Injury to the following:
  • Bowel
  • Bladder
  • Blood vessels
  • Ureters (tubes that carry urine from the kidney [14] to the bladder)
• Worse adhesions
• Bleeding
• Infection

Average Hospital Stay

You may or may not stay overnight, depending on the extent of surgery. Open laparotomy will usually require up to a week in the hospital.

Postoperative Care

When you return home after the procedure, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:

• Follow your doctor’s instructions for care of the incision site.
• Take pain [6] medications as directed by your doctor.
• Avoid heavy lifting.
• Do not drink carbonated beverages for two days.