What is the intestine?
The intestine is a long, tubular organ consisting of the small intestine, the colon (large intestine) and the rectum (last 8 to 10 inches of the colon). After food is swallowed, it mixes with digestive agents in the stomach and then empties into the small intestine. Once in the small intestine, where nutrients are absorbed. The remaining waste moves through the colon to the rectum and is expelled from the body. What is minimally invasive intestinal surgery? In most minimally invasive intestinal procedures, surgeons operate through 3 to 5 tiny openings (approximately 1/2-inch) while viewing a magnified image of the patient’s internal organs on a television monitor. In some cases, one of the openings may be lengthened by 2 or 3 inches to complete the procedure. In open intestinal surgery, 8- to 12-inch incisions are not uncommon. What intestinal diseases can be treated with the minimally invasive technique? Minimally invasive surgery has been used to: – Treat inflammatory bowel disease (
