Scar tissue after colon resection causing bowel obstruction

Hi, I can imagine you are very worried about your mom.

Here is some information from Mayo Clinic about treatment for total obstruction due to abdominal adhesions (scar tissue) after surgery.
"Treatment for complete obstruction
If nothing is able to pass through your intestine, you'll usually need surgery to relieve the blockage. The procedure you have will depend on what's causing the obstruction and which part of your intestine is affected. Surgery typically involves removing the obstruction, as well as any section of your intestine that has died or is damaged.

Alternatively, your doctor may recommend treating the obstruction with a self-expanding metal stent. The wire mesh tube is inserted into your intestine via an endoscope passed through your mouth or colon. It forces open the intestine so that the obstruction can clear.

Stents are generally used to treat people with colon cancer or to provide temporary relief in people for whom emergency surgery is too risky. You may still need surgery, once your condition is stable."

Whether your mother will require another temporary or permanent ostomy or none at all can only be answered by her surgical team. It will likely depend on how much of the damaged colon may need to be removed.

Are you able to be with your mom in the hospital and talk with her care team?

Same happened to me! Reconnection failed due to scar tissue! No major problems with colonostomy! Was m 65! Glad I didn’t try again! Am 70 now!

@colleenyoung very interesting. Does the same apply to partial blockage?

I am very interested in this topic. My husband had a tumor removed from the sigmoid area of the colon one year and 3 months ago. We have been in the ER twice due, in 6 week, due to a bowel “blockage”, however physically the source is unseen by scans and X-rays with contrast. He feels strongly it is scar tissue and he was also born with gastroscesis (intestines on outside at birth) and adhesion removal alone took 3 hours before the removal of the tumor could be removed. My husband is “managing” daily with softeners, lactulose, gas x and when needed Linzess is his last attempt to get movement. We are focusing on completing two remaining chemo treatments for his colon cancer and remaining off Avastin in the event an urgent surgery is needed. (Surgery requires being off this chemical for several weeks so we are being cautious). After which we hope to focus on the blockage which will likely return. I hope this is helpful to others and would like to see this topic grow with more similar experiences. Thank you.

Trishanna, apologies for the delayed response. I’m not sure about the application in the case of partial blockage. Have you had a chance to talk about it with your physician?

My bowel became obstructed due to scar tissue after colon surgery to remove a large polyp. I had to undergo a series of dilatation procedures to stretch the tissue manually, very gradually working up to normal circumference. This worked. The surgery and therefore, the scar tissue, was low down, near the rectum. I don't know if dilatations are workable higher up in the colon.

Has anyone used Serapeptidaise after surgery? It is a protealytic enzyme that dissolves any nonliving scar tissue.

Hi Kim, there is limited research on the benefits of serrapeptase. Small studies have researched its potential as an anti-inflammatory that may reduce pain and swelling. Serrapeptase should not be taken along with blood thinners — such as Warfarin and aspirin.

Because more research is needed to confirm the efficacy and long-term safety of serrapeptase, it is best to discuss with your doctor before using.

This is sounding very familiar to what is happening to me. I had bowel surgery due to bowel perforation during colonoscopy 9 years ago. 3 years ago during colonoscopy my gastroenterologist had to use a balloon to open the scar tissue area more. Last week he had to do this again and now has me on steroids for a month to help this to stay. My surgery was a right hemicolectomy so in the cecum area. I am very concerned that this scar tissue is becoming an issue where I could end up needing surgery again, which is a terrifying thought to me. How have you done since your last procedure? I know its not in the same area as mine but curious if your dilation has worked.

Yes, it is a real concern. In my case, the dilatation did work. I wasn't put on steroids, just had several dilatations over a few months, with a balloon and manually. That was six years ago.
Last fall I had another polyp removed in the same area and was very worried the same thing would happen, but thankfully, it didn't happen this time.
I wish you well, good luck with it!