Introduction

To compile a Consensus Document incorporating all the

various aspects of the aetiology, incidence, burden and

research into the possible prevention of adhesions is a

challenging task but one which I believe has been

achieved with the publication of this supplement in

Colorectal Disease. The credit must go to the individual

authors of the separate chapters, all of whom have

international reputations for their interest in the subject

of adhesions and all of whom have contributed enor-

mously to the publication of this work.

The document is the culmination of many months of

painstaking intercollegiate discussion and negotiation

such that we hope that it represents the best in terms of

evidence based knowledge and opinion on the subject

of adhesions. It is intended to be a wide ranging appraisal

of the subject with in-depth analysis of several important

aspects of the problems associated with adhesions.

All colorectal surgeons are plagued to some extent by

adhesions and it is imperative that we are as up to date as

possible when considering the burden of this disease and

current knowledge of the pathophysiology of the prob-

lem. We also need to be aware of all novel and proven

methods of adhesion prevention techniques which are

discussed in this document.

I am indebted not only to my co-authors but also to

Drs Jyrki Kossi (Finland), Andreas Ommer (Germany)

and Francesco Tonelli (Italy) who were present at the

original planning meeting in Lisbon and whose encour-

agement helped to secure the efforts of those involved in

the compilation of the document. I would also like to

thank Baxter BioSurgery who have generously sponsored

the publication but who have not at any time influenced

the editorial rights of the authors. Indeed, until the final

draft was submitted to Colorectal Disease, Baxter have

been blissfully unaware of the content of the document

which they have sponsored. It is this professional attitude

which has allowed the authors the freedom to produce a

genuinely unbiased and veritable assessment of the

subject which we hope will be of use and interest to all

those involved in colorectal and other surgical aspects of

adhesions.

It would also be unforgivable not to recognize the

help of Alison Crowe, Jill Kirkdale and Alastair Knight of

Corvus without whose unparalleled professional organi-

zational skills and encouragement I doubt if we would

ever have delivered this document to a conclusion.

I hope that the supplement will serve to encourage

others to take a real interest in the formidable challenge

of adhesions such that at some time in the not too distant

future we might see a reduction in the incidence of

adhesion related problems which cost patients dearly by

their morbidity and which cost governments and health-

care services throughout the world billions of pounds,

euros, dollars, yen and every other currency known to

man!

Mike Parker

M. Parker declares no conflict of interests.

� 2007 The Author

2 Journal compilation � 2007 The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, 9 (Suppl. 2), 2