Abdominal Key

Acknowledgment I thank Cory Sandone for her artwork on small bowel neoplasms. Introduction Neoplasms of the small intestine are rare, accounting for 3% to 6% of gastrointestinal neoplasms overall and…

Introduction Enterocutaneous fistulas, defined as an abnormal communication between the small bowel and skin, are among the most daunting problems for an intestinal surgeon. The impact of an enterocutaneous fistula…

Introduction Increasing life expectancy coupled with the growing incidence of both benign and malignant colorectal disease has resulted in a greater need for surgeons to operate on patients with a…

Introduction Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is a condition in which multiple gas-filled cysts occur under the serosa or mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract. PCI is uncommon but increasingly is being…

Introduction Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a form of intestinal failure that most often results from surgical resection related to Crohn disease, mesenteric infarction, radiation enteritis, or surgery for recurrent…

Introduction Constipation is the most common bowel complaint in the United States, with an estimated prevalence of 2% to 27%. The wide range is attributed to the variety of definitions…

Extent of the Problem Small bowel obstruction is a common problem that is responsible for more than 1 million inpatient hospital days and more than $1 billion in health care…

Introduction It seems as if surgeons have always debated the “proper” treatment of colorectal injuries, including the following issues: • When should continuity be restored, and when should diversion be…

Introduction Endometriosis is a disease characterized by the presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterine cavity. A chronic inflammatory reaction induces scar tissue and adhesion formation that may…