WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for October, 1998: Re: ADHESIONS...versus...IMPLANTS: DOCTORS....Is there a difference?

Re: ADHESIONS...versus...IMPLANTS: DOCTORS....Is there a difference?

From: William D. McIntosh, MD (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Fri, 23 Oct 1998 16:33:24 -0500 (CDT)

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In reply to: Helen: "ADHESIONS...versus...IMPLANTS: DOCTORS....Is there a difference?"

At Fri, 23 Oct 1998, Helen wrote: >
>My understanding of * ADHESIONS* is that*adhesions* are a complication
>of surgery.
>
>My understanding of *IMPLANTS* is that *implants* are a complication of
>endometriosis.
>
>Am I wrong with my understanding? Is it correct to use the term,
>ADHESIONS, interchangeably?

Just like everything else in medicine, its a bit more complicated than that.

First, implants: Implants are variable sized focal lesions of something that is not supposed to be where it is. Most commonly, we use this term to describe endometriosis, which typically will have small areas of endometrial glands and stroma located in otherwise normal tissue, such as the peritoneum of the pelvis, or perhaps the Fallopian tube. However, the term implants is not limited to endometriosis, and would also be used with ovarian cancer for example. Actually, my lawn demonstrates "implants" pretty well. Kentucky bluegrass over most of it, with implants of crabgrass here and there that need some therapy.

Adhesions are fibrous connections between any two surfaces that are not supposed to be adherent to one another. Adhesions are the result of inflammation and disrupted tissue layers. Adhesions can be the result of surgery, in fact, you can count on at least some adhesions from any surgery (you cannot make a cut without leaving a scar), but there are lots of other causes, not least of which is endometriosis. Other causes can include infection, particularly pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, blunt force trauma, internal bleeding, and so on. The synonym for adhesion is "scar". There is also a genetic component to this. Some people just make more scar tissue than others.

-- William D. McIntosh, MD Clarksville, TN

This is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace consultation and examination by your physician or other health care provider.

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