The invention provides a cellulose derivative having a repeating unit of the formula below, a composition including the cellulose derivative and a phospholipid, a method for production thereof, and an adhesion barrier including the cellulose derivative or the composition.In the formula, R1, R2, and R3 are -H, -CH2-COOH, -CH2-COOX, or -CH2CO-phosphatidylethanolamine, and X is an alkali metal or an alkali earth metal. The degree of substitution of -CH2-COOH and -CH2-COOX is 0.3 to 2.0 in total, and the degree of substitution of -CH2CO-phosphatidylethanolamine is 0.001 to 0.05.