A bowel resection is a surgical procedure in which a part of the large or small intestine is removed. It may be performed due to cancer

Gastrointestinal cancer

Gastrointestinal cancer refers to malignant conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus, stomach, biliary system, pancreas, bowels, and anus. The symptoms relate to the organ affected, and can include obstruction , abnormal bleeding, or other associated problems...

, necrosis

Necrosis

Necrosis is the premature death of cells in living tissue. Necrosis is caused by factors external to the cell or tissue, such as infection, toxins, or trauma. This is in contrast to apoptosis, which is a naturally occurring cause of cellular death...

, enteritis

Enteritis

In medicine, enteritis, from Greek words enteron and suffix -itis , refers to inflammation of the small intestine. It is most commonly caused by the ingestion of substances contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms. Symptoms include abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, dehydration and fever...

, diverticular disease, or a block in the intestine due to scar tissue. Other reasons to perform bowel resection include ulcerative colitis, traumatic injuries, precancerous polyps, and familial polyposis.

Some patients require ileostomy

Ileostomy

An ileostomy is a surgical opening constructed by bringing the end or loop of small intestine out onto the surface of the skin. Intestinal waste passes out of the ileostomy and is collected in an external pouching system stuck to the skin...

after this procedure.

External links

• Description of the procedure