Reoperation on the abdomen encased in adhesions.

Purpose: To determine outcome after lysis of intestinal adhesions, relief of obstruction, closure of fistulas and drainage of abscesses in patients with an abdominal cavity obliterated by chronic postoperative adhesions.

Methods: Among 40 patients with an abdomen encased in dense adhesions after a mean of 5 previous operations, 31 patients also had intestinal obstruction, 25 enteric fistulas and 20 abdominal abscesses. Reoperation was done and outcome assessed from the medical records and by a mailed questionnaire.

Results: Only 1 postoperative death occurred, but 24 early complications appeared. At hospital discharge, obstruction, fistula and abscess were completely resolved in all but 3 patients (P <0.001). Only 2 of 16 patients on parenteral nutrition before operation (TPN) still required it (P = 0.004). At late follow-up (mean, 4.6 years) the patients' quality of life (mean score +/- SD, 8.6 +/- 2.1) was similar to that of a healthy control population (9.2 +/- 1.2, P = 0.17).

Conclusions: Reoperation on the abdomen encased in adhesions restores most patients to good health and an excellent long-term quality of life.