Understanding Enterectomy: Types, Procedures, and Recovery

Enterectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of all or part of the small intestine. The procedure is typically performed to treat conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, or obstruction of the small intestine.

During an enterectomy, the surgeon will make an incision in the abdomen and remove the affected portion of the small intestine. The remaining intestine may be reattached to the stomach or large intestine, depending on the extent of the removal.

There are different types of enterectomy procedures, including:

1. Partial enterectomy: This involves removing only a portion of the small intestine.
2. Total enterectomy: This involves removing the entire small intestine.
3. Subtotal enterectomy: This involves removing most of the small intestine, leaving a small portion behind.

The procedure can be performed through laparoscopy, which is a minimally invasive technique that uses small incisions and a camera to visualize the inside of the abdomen, or through open surgery, which requires a larger incision.

After the procedure, patients may need to follow a special diet and take medications to manage any complications or side effects, such as bowel obstruction or infection.