When Intestine Surgery Is Needed
There can be any number of reasons for intestine surgery, but by far the major one is an intestinal blockage, which if total, can be an emergency situation. Depending upon the location of the blockage or other disorder, large intestine surgery or small intestine surgery, but rarely both, will be required. Most of the time when blockage is a problem, it's the small intestine where the problem occurs.
There are instances where intestine surgery is rather straightforward, especially if the location of the blockage or other problem can be pinpointed. An incision is made in the abdomen, a section of the intestine is exposed, the affected area or blockage is removed, the wound and abdomen are stitched up, and the patient goes into recovery.
Bowel Resection - There are times when a portion of the small intestine small intestine has to be removed. This is called a small bowel resection. In rare instances, when the small intestine has become diseased, all of it has to be removed.
There are times when a large incision is not required, although the patient will still be under general anesthesia during the procedure. This would be an instance of laparoscopic intestine surgery, where two or three small cuts in the lower belly may be made, and a camera, as well as surgical instruments will be passed through the cuts. If a section of the intention has to be removed and the section is small enough, which is the case in most instances, the healthy ends of the remaining small intestine can be sewn or stapled back together.
Causes - What are the causes of a blockage of the intestine? Some diseases, such as Crohn's disease may be the culprit. At times, inflammation of the small intestine can cause ulcers, resulting in infection, bleeding, and the formation of scar tissue. Cancerous tumors can cause blockages, as can non-cancerous polyps, cysts, or benign tumors.
Recovery And Risks - A hospital stay of several days, or up to a week is normal following intestine surgery. If a significant portion of the intestine was removed, or if the surgery was due to an emergency, the hospital stay could be even longer. Surgery is not without risk, and intestine surgery is certainly no exception. Normal surgical risks include infection, blood clots, and breathing problems. When the intestines have been operated upon, additional risks include bowel leakage or obstruction, and paralytic lieus, a temporary paralysis of the bowel, during which they cease to function normally. Internal bleeding can also occur, but the most serious risk is that of the fastening of intestinal ends may open up if the stitches should fail. This can be a very serious issue.
Prognosis Usually Favorable - The prognosis in the vast majority of instances of intestine surgery is very positive. Most individuals undergoing this type of surgery are able to resume their normal lifestyle after a period of recovery. If a large segment of the intestine, especially the small intestine, has been removed, the body will have difficulty in completely digesting many foods, leading to potential nutritional deficiencies, which of course must be treated. If the cause behind the intestinal surgery is a chronic condition, a need for ongoing treatment is usually anticipated.
Surgery Not Always Needed - Not all bowel obstructions require surgery. Two of the more common causes of obstruction of the large intestine are diverticulitis, and colitis, both of which cause inflammation of the intestine and both of which are usually treated with medication. Often obstructions in both the large and small intestine are treated by decompression or the use of certain IV fluids. Less than 1/4 of those experiencing partial obstruction require intestine surgery, while slightly more than half require surgery when the blockage is total.