SURGERY OF THE SMALL-BOWEL

During the past year, developments in laparoscopic surgery of the small intestine, management of enterocutaneous fistulas, patterns of recurrence following resection for Crohn's disease, long-term results of restorative proctocolectomy, and small bowel transplantation received considerable attention in the literature. The diagnostic and therapeutic potential of laparoscopic surgery has been fully explored. Patterns of recurrence following resection for Crohn's disease have been described. Two series have reported long-term results of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis with a special reference to pouch failure. Nontransplant surgical options for management of the short bowel syndrome have also been discussed. A new technique for combined hepatic-intestinal retrieval has been described and the results of intestinal transplantation in composite visceral grafts compared with those of intestinal grafts only.