Management of complications in surgery of the small intestine

BACKGROUND: Complications in surgery of the small intestine develop after operations of the small intestine itself, or more often, after other abdominal surgery. METHODS: Review. RESULTS: Procedures involving a risk of small intestinal complications include formation and closure of ileostomies, surgery for Crohn's disease and, alternatively, surgical therapy of acute occlusive mesenteric ischemia, adhesions, intestinal obstruction and peritonitis. Enterocutaneous fistula due to iatrogenic lesions or in the course of peritonitis therapy as well as short bowel syndrome resulting from extended resections cause significant morbidity and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: This review summarizes the variety of diseases and surgical procedures leading to complications and discusses the appropriate therapy.