Intra-abdominal adhesions Flashcards
What are adhesions?
a type of scar tissue that forms between organs and tissue after abdominal surgery
That are the steps of adhesion?
- tissue injury
- inflammatory response
- fibrin deposition
- adhesion
What species are most likely to get adhesions?
horses
humans
What is the second most common cause for repeat celiotomy in horses after abdominal surgery?
adhesions
What is the most common reason for death after surgery in horses with intestinal lesions?
adhesions
What are risk factors associated with adhesions in horse?
- small intestinal lesions (handling!)
- prolonged post-op ileus
- repeated exploratory celiotomy
- age (higher in foal esp
What two things predispose to adhesion formation?
- inflammation
2. ischemia
What are examples of inflammation in the abdominal cavity?
- peritoneal trauma
- infection
- bacterial contamination
- foreign materia
What are examples of ischemia in the abdominal cavity?
- strangulating lesion
- vascular compromise
- intestinal distention
- tight sutures
What occurs with inflammation and necrosis in the pathogenesis of adhesion formation?
- increased fibrin deposition
2. decreased fibrinolysis
What are the two key activators to get from plasminogen to plasmin? REMEMER
- tissue plasminogen activator
2. urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA)
What pathways result in fibrin deposition?
intrinsic/extrinsic/common
What pathways result in fibrin deposition?
intrinsic/extrinsic/common
Under normal conditions, what happens to fibrin?
peritoneal fibrinolytic activity causes lysis of fibrin and adhesions within 48-72 hours
What balance is disrupted when adhesions occur?
coagulation/inflammation and fibrinolysis.
Thus fibrin deposition exeeds fibrinolysis
What occurs to fibrinous adhesions?
there is maturation and inadequate adhesions, that leads to inadequate permanent fibrous adhesions
When do permanent fibrous adhesions occur?
7-14 days after surgery
What are consequences of the formation of fibrous adhesions?
- compression or distortion of intestines, narrowing of lumen
- impedement of of normal passage of ingestion
Are fibrinous adhesions an issue?
no, they undergo fibrinolysis in 48-72hrs
Are omental adhesions a problem?
no, they can even be helpful to increase vascular supply in other species but maybe not horse.
rarely cause clinical problems–may entrap small intestine
How do fibrous adhesions form?
- Due to inadequate fibrinolysis
2. result from ingrowth of fibroblasts and endothelium
Where can focal fibrous adhesions occur?
- intestine to mesentery
- intestine to incision
- intestine to peritoneum
What are the two key activators to get from plasminogen to plasmin? REMEMER
- tissue plasminogen activator
2. urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA)
What is the most common cause of recurrent abdominal pain in horses after small intestinal surgery
adhesions
What is the 2nd most common cause of performing a repeat celiotomy after abdominal surgery?
dhesions
What is one of the most common reasons for euthanasia after surgery in horses with small intestinal lesions
adhesions
What is the most consistent clinical sign associated with abdominal adhesions in horse?
recurrent colic
What are risk factors for post-op intra-abdominal adhesions in horses?
- small intestinal lesions
- intestinal resection and anastomosis
- prolonged post-op ileus
- repeated exploratory laparotomy (celiotomy)
- age (higher incidence in foals and miniature horses than adults)
- peritonitis and abdominal abscesses