The small bowel is also called the small intestine. Most digestion (breaking down and absorbing nutrients) of the food you eat takes place in the small intestine.

Small bowel resection is surgery to remove part or all of your small bowel. It is done when part of your small bowel is blocked or diseased. The surgery can be performed laparoscopically or with open surgery.

Why the Procedure is Performed

Small bowel resection is used to treat:

  • A blockage in the intestine caused by scar tissue or congenital (from birth) deformities
  • Bleeding, infection, or ulcers caused by inflammation of the small intestine. Conditions that may cause inflammation include regional ileitis, regional enteritis, and Crohn disease.
  • Cancer
  • Carcinoid tumor
  • Injuries to the small intestine
  • Meckel's diverticulum
  • Noncancerous (benign) tumors
  • Precancerous polyps