Small bowel resection is surgery to remove part of the small bowel. The small bowel, also called the small intestine, is the top part of the intestines. It is part of the digestive system. When food leaves the stomach, it goes into the small bowel. Most food is then absorbed into the body.
A small bowel resection may be needed if the small bowel becomes blocked or harmed by disease. One type of procedure is called an open resection. This means the surgeon will make a long incision to open your abdomen for the procedure.
LET YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER KNOW ABOUT:
• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Any problems …show more content…
However, problems may occur, including:
• Bleeding.
• Infection.
• Alergic reactions to medicines.
• Damage to other structures or organs.
• A blood clot that forms somewhere in the veins and travels to the lung.
• Leaking of intestinal fluids into the abdomen.
• A hernia. This occurs when the abdomen bulges out. It may require surgery in the future.
• Scarring where the incision is made or inside your body, around the intestines. If this occurs, surgery may be required in the future.
• Not being able to absorb enough vitamins and nutrition through the small bowel.
BEFORE THE PROCEDURE
Staying hydrated
Follow instructions from your health care provider about hydration, which may include:
• Up to 2 hours before the procedure – you may continue to drink clear liquids, such as water, clear fruit juice, black coffee, and plain tea.
Eating and drinking restrictions
Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating and drinking, which may include:
• 8 hours before the procedure – stop eating heavy meals or foods such as meat, fried foods, or fatty foods.
• 6 hours before the procedure – stop eating light meals or foods, such as toast or …show more content…
Medicines
• Ask your health care provider about:
○ Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
○ Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines before your procedure if your health care provider instructs you not to.
• You may be given antibiotic medicine to help prevent infection.
General instructions
• Plan to have someone take you home from the hospital or clinic.
• Ask your health care provider how your surgical site will be marked or identified.
• You may have testing, such as blood tests, X-rays, or other imaging scans that take pictures of the small bowel.
PROCEDURE
• To lower your risk of infection:
○ Your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
○ Your skin will be washed with soap.
○ Hair may be removed from the surgical area.
• An IV tube will be inserted into one of your veins. Medicine will flow directly into your body through the IV tube.
• You will be given one or more of the following:
○ A medicine to help you relax