THE NATURAL-HISTORY OF POSTOPERATIVE INTR APERITONEAL ADHESIONS - A TRULY CURRENT SUBJECT FOR DEBATE

Postoperative intraperitoneal adhesions are known to occur after conve ntional surgery. The prospective study that we have performed in 1992 shows that the frequency of postoperative intraperitoneal adhesions is very high (93% of patients). It is higher than was stated 20 years ag o, while so-called <<spontaneous>> adhesions seem to be decreasing. Th e histological study of postoperative intraperitoneal adhesions shows a specific evolution in time and a very high frequency of foreign bodi es (starch, variably decayed textile fibers) (92%) The very great freq uency of such foreign bodies in postoperative intraperitoneal adhesion s, logically involving them in the genesis of this condition, may be a n argument in favor of the new surgical techniques, especially of celi oscopy.