Laparoscopic Stomach and Small Intestine Resection Surgery

Many common stomach and small bowel conditions can be treated with a minimally invasive approach called laparoscopic stomach or small intestine resection surgery. 

Laparoscopic procedures for stomach conditions

• Gastrectomy – partial or total removal of the stomach to treat conditions including benign and malignant tumors, ulcers, bleeding and polyps 
• Peptic or gastric ulcer surgery – laparoscopic procedure to repair perforation (hole in the stomach), bleeding or blockage of the digestive tract, and then treat the cause.
• Nissen fundoplication – procedure to wrap the top portion of the stomach around the lower esophagus to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This strengthens the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), preventing acid from flowing back up into the esophagus.
• Pyloroplasty or gastrojejunostomy bypass – treats gastroparesis or delayed emptying of the stomach into the small intestines. Improves bloating, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

Laparoscopic procedures for small bowel conditions

Patients suffering from cancer, polyps, blockages or inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) including Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s disease may require surgery if medication is no longer helping to control symptoms.

• Laparoscopic appendectomy – for both acute and chronic conditions of the appendix including tumors
  
• Small bowel resection – removal of sections of the small intestine

• Duodenectomy: removal of the first section of the small intestine (duodenum)
• Jejunectomy: removal of the middle part of the small intestine ( jejunum)
• Ileectomy: removal of the  last part of the small intestine (ileum)
  

• Strictureplasty – laparoscopic repair of strictures or areas of the small intestine that have narrowed and thickened due to Crohn’s disease. This procedure may allow repair of the strictures without removal of  the intestine.
  
• Adhesion Division (Adhesiolysis) – helps to relieve obstructions caused by scar tissue or adhesions in the abdomen, as a result of previous surgeries, trauma, or infections.
  
• Ileocecal resection  – minimally invasive procedure to remove the last portion of the small intestines (terminal ileum) and the area that connects the small intestine to the large intestine (cecum).
  
• Laparoscopic Meckel’s diverticulectomy – Meckel’s diverticulum is a congenital condition in which a small pouch forms in the wall of the intestines. This minimally invasive procedure removes the pouch and any bleeding, obstruction or inflammation it has caused.

Benefits of laparoscopic surgery

• Less invasive – tiny incisions cause minimal damage to surrounding tissue and less blood loss.
• Minimal pain – smaller wounds mean little discomfort and less anesthesia needed.
• Barely visible scars – small incisions heal with little to no scarring.
• Faster recovery – patients heal more quickly than with open surgery, returning to their daily routine sooner.
• Ambulatory procedure – the majority of patients return home the same day. Occasionally an overnight stay is required.
• Lower risk of infection – smaller incisions reduce the chance of infection.
• Greater accuracy – the laparoscope provides a clear, magnified view for precise surgery.

To read more about this minimally invasive procedure visit our What is Laparoscopic Surgery page.