Radiation Enteritis and Proctocolitis
Background Radiation was first used as a treatment modality for breast cancer in 1896, and a year later Dr. David Walsh, a physician at the Western Skin Hospital, London, described…
Management of Small Bowel Crohn Disease
Introduction Crohn disease is described according to age of onset, disease location, and disease behavior. The disease location usually remains constant throughout a patient’s lifetime and is categorized as disease…
Crohn Disease of the Duodenum, Stomach, and Esophagus
Introduction Crohn disease (CD) has a propensity for involvement of the terminal ileum and colon but also can occur throughout the gastrointestinal tract. When it occurs in the esophagus, stomach,…
Small Bowel Neoplasms
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…
Prevention and Management of Sepsis
Background Sepsis is uncontrolled infection—a potentially fatal condition manifested by tachycardia, leukocytosis, fever, and hypotension. In the United States, the overall incidence is estimated to be more than 1.1 million…
Enterocutaneous Fistulas
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…
Colorectal Surgery in the High-Risk Patient
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…
Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis
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…
Medical Management of Short Bowel Syndrome
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…
Constipation
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…
