An adhesion is an abnormal connection or attachment one organ to another organ. Adhesions occur most frequent between the various loops of bowel within the abdomen. Any inflammation within the abdominal cavity may result to adhesions. Most of these are not serious. Almost everyone who has an abdominal operation may have one or two small adhesions that never give them any trouble.

However, when several loops of bowel are closely bound together, it may  be difficult for the fluids contents to pass through and this may result in some degree if intestinal obstruction. This is more frequently seen following raptured appendix, a pelvic abscess, or a knife or bullet wound involving the abdominal wall. Anything that cause peritonitis may result in numerous adhesions.

Intestinal obstruction is always serious regardless of the cause, especially if there is sever vomiting. When the obstruction is in the lower bowel, fecal vomiting may result, and there may be complete lack of any bowel movement for several days prior to the obstruction. All such cases are best treated in hospital. Surgery should be done as soon as the patientcan be properly prepared.

Intestinal obstruction may sometimes occur from volvulus or twisting of the bowel. This may or may not be related to adhesions of one type another. Another serious condition known as intussuception may also occur, a portion of the bowel being telescoped or the folded inside the rest of the bowel. Surgery is the only safe treatment for either volvulus or intussusception, and the sooner the operation is done, the better the patients chances of recovery. Mortality from this condition is high.