Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is once again in the spotlight, not for politics this time, but for enduring yet another taxing medical procedure. After undergoing a staggering 12-hour-long surgery to address complex intestinal adhesions and reconstruct his abdominal wall, Bolsonaro is currently recovering in the hospital. Though he has been shifted out of intensive care and placed on a liquid diet, doctors have not yet given a timeline for his discharge, indicating the seriousness of his condition.
This marks the sixth surgery Bolsonaro has undergone as a result of a near-fatal stabbing incident in 2018 during a campaign rally. Over the years, the aftermath of that assault has taken a persistent toll on his health, leading to multiple surgical interventions. According to his doctors, this latest operation was the “most complex” one yet. But what exactly are intestinal adhesions, and why is treating them so intricate?
What Are Intestinal Adhesions?
Intestinal adhesions are bands of fibrous scar tissue that can form between internal organs and tissues, particularly within the abdominal cavity. Normally, the organs in your abdomen — like the intestines, liver, pancreas, kidneys, and reproductive organs — glide smoothly against each other. Adhesions, however, cause these surfaces to stick together, disrupting normal organ function.
These adhesions often develop after abdominal surgery or trauma, forming as part of the body’s natural healing process. While they are usually harmless and symptomless, in some cases, they can lead to severe complications, including bowel obstruction and chronic pain.
Why Were Bolsonaro’s Adhesions So Severe?
Bolsonaro’s adhesions stem from a stab wound he suffered in 2018, which punctured his intestines and required emergency surgery. Since then, he has faced a series of complications and additional procedures. Each surgery increases the risk of further adhesions forming, particularly when large incisions are involved, as was likely the case in his earlier treatments.
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In his most recent surgery, the adhesions had apparently grown so extensive that they necessitated a complex and time-consuming procedure to carefully separate the scar tissue and reconstruct the damaged abdominal wall. Such surgeries require extreme precision to avoid damaging vital organs and are often fraught with risks.
Symptoms and Complications of Intestinal Adhesions
Although many people with adhesions never experience symptoms, complications can arise when the intestines become twisted or kinked, much like a garden hose. This can result in a blockage that prevents the passage of food, fluids, and waste. Common warning signs include:
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- Intense abdominal pain or cramping
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bloating and abdominal distension
- Inability to pass gas or stool
When left untreated, a complete bowel obstruction can lead to life-threatening conditions like peritonitis, an infection of the abdominal cavity.
Risk Factors That Increase the Likelihood of Adhesions
Certain factors raise the risk of developing abdominal adhesions, such as:
- Having open abdominal surgeries (which are more prone to causing adhesions than minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures)
- Undergoing multiple surgeries, particularly on the digestive tract
- Emergency abdominal procedures
Additionally, adhesions can cause chronic pelvic or abdominal pain, and in women, they are a known cause of infertility. In such cases, the scar tissue can interfere with the movement of eggs and sperm or prevent the implantation of a fertilised egg in the uterus — a condition referred to as Asherman’s Syndrome when it involves intrauterine adhesions.
Bottomline
Though Bolsonaro’s condition is stable for now, the complexity of his surgery and the history of prior abdominal interventions mean that his road to full recovery may be lengthy. His ongoing hospitalisation and the absence of a definitive discharge date reflect the challenges posed by repeated adhesions and the seriousness of such operations.
While his political future remains uncertain, one thing is clear — Bolsonaro’s health battles continue to be as dramatic and complex as his public life. For many, his ordeal sheds light on a rarely discussed but common medical issue that can have serious, life-altering consequences.