Ovarian adhesion surgery, endoscope view. Surgical instruments cutting ovarian adhesions during laparoscopic surgery. The ovary is the white structure at bottom. Adhesions are growths of fibrous (scar) connective tissue formed as a response to tissue trauma. They often result from abdominal surgery, but may also be caused by endometriosis, when cells from the uterus lining move to the abdominal cavity. If the adhesions cause severe pain, obstruct part of the bowel or cause dysfunction of the reproductive system they are removed surgically. Laparoscopic surgery is keyhole surgery of the abdomen.