Surgery for small-bowel disease

The small bowel can be involved by several pathologic conditions whose diagnosis is often difficult. Current diagnostic tools include enteric NMR, double-balloon ileoscopy, and PillCam, all of which are helpful for decision-making in many cases.The prompt diagnosisof congenital malformations, inflammatory diseases, ischemia, diverticulosis, and neoplasms allows successful treatment. In considering the different modalities of resection and reconstruction, surgeons must also take into account the small bowel's nutritional functions. The increasing use of a laparoscopic approach remains controversial despite reported successes. This chapter is a short but nonetheless thorough description of the surgical management of small-bowel diseases.