Pathogenesis, consequences, and control of peritoneal adhesions in gynecologic surgery: a committee opinion.

Postoperative adhesions are a natural consequence of surgical tissue trauma and healing and may result in infertility, pain, and bowel obstruction. Adherence to microsurgical principles and minimally invasive surgery may help to decrease postoperative adhesions. Some surgical barriers have been demonstrated effective for reducing postoperative adhesions, but there is no substantial evidence that their use improves fertility, decreases pain, or reduces the incidence of postoperative bowel obstruction. This document replaces the document of the same name last published in 2008 (Fertil Steril 2008;90[5 Suppl]:S144-9).