Small intestine surgery, often called a small bowel resection, involves removing a portion of the small intestine to treat conditions like blockages, tumors, or inflammation. The surgery can be performed laparoscopically (keyhole) or through an open incision. After removing the affected section, the remaining healthy ends of the small intestine are reconnected.
A resection removes the damaged or diseased portion your small bowel (intestine). The procedure is also known as a small intestine resection. Some surgeries remove a small part, while other resections are more extensive sections.
Your small bowel is 20 to 30 feet long. It consists of many tissue layers that twist and fold. This organ is where your body absorbs nutrients from the foods you eat. Removing a section of tissue typically doesn’t affect intestinal functioning.
