ABSTRACT
The vast majority of small bowel resections are performed as an emergency due to bowel obstruction, vascular compromise, or perforation. Obstruction is typically caused by postoperative or congenital adhesions, hernias, inflammatory bowel disease, or tumors. Small bowel resection can be performed in a variety of ways but the technique of end-to-end, single layer anastomosis had been advocated by the UK Intercollegiate Surgical Training Committee.1 This procedure is described in detail below. This chapter highlights the clinical and technical challenges of acute small bowel resection which must be overcome by the general surgeon on call.
