Readhesion

Readhesion refers to the reestablishment of adhesive contact between surfaces or tissues after separation. It can occur in living organisms, where cells or tissues reattach, or in artificial systems, where bonded materials reform a bond after debonding.

In cell biology, readhesion describes the reattachment of cells after detachment, a process mediated by cell adhesion molecules such as integrins for cell-matrix interactions and cadherins for cell-cell interactions. Readhesion is a dynamic part of processes like wound healing, migration, and tissue remodeling, and it is influenced by extracellular matrix composition, mechanical forces, and signaling pathways.

In medicine, readhesion is most commonly used to refer to the recurrence of adhesions after surgical lysis, particularly intra-abdominal or pelvic adhesions. Readhesions can lead to chronic pain, bowel obstruction, infertility, and complicate subsequent surgeries. Risk factors include inflammation, infection, ischemia, foreign bodies, and prolonged operative time. Prevention strategies include careful surgical technique and the use of adhesion barriers or antiadhesion materials.

In materials science, readhesion describes the reformation of bonded interfaces after debonding. It is important for the reliability of adhesives, coatings, and laminated structures. Factors that influence readhesion include surface cleanliness, roughness, surface energy, moisture, temperature, and the presence of contaminants or degradation products. Tests such as lap-shear and peel tests assess the strength of readhesion.

Understanding readhesion informs both medical strategies to reduce postoperative adhesions and engineering approaches to improve long-term bond durability.