title: The biology of adhesion formation in the peritoneal cavity.
abstract: Intraperitoneal adhesions are frequently encountered and present significant challenges to the practicing surgeon, including increased operating time, bowel obstruction, pelvic pain, and infertility. Until recently, however, our knowledge of the biology of adhesion formation within the peritoneal cavity has been limited, which in turn limits prevention and treatment strategies for surgical patients. Extensive research has now led to an increased understanding of adhesion formation, with hypoxia playing a central role. Hypoxia stimulates a cascade that leads to oxidative stress, anaerobic metabolism, formation of free radicals, and ultimately the adhesion phenotype. By understanding the precipitants to adhesion development, we may begin to develop prevention and treatment therapies that will provide clinically significant improvement over the currently available approaches to limit postoperative adhesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Georgia Regents University, 1120 15th St, BA-7300, Augusta, Georgia 30912.
authors.forename: Kelli M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Georgia Regents University, 1120 15th St, BA-7300, Augusta, Georgia 30912. Electronic address: michael.diamond@gru.edu.
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Diamond
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity / Q000473:pathology*; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
keywords: Adhesion phenotype; Adhesions; Hypoxia; Oxidative stress