Best Doctor List Near You for Michelassi Strictureplasty in Hagerstown

Michelassi strictureplasty is a surgical procedure used to treat long, complex strictures in the small intestine, typically caused by Crohn's disease. Unlike traditional resection where the diseased portion of the bowel is removed, Michelassi strictureplasty preserves the bowel by reshaping it to widen the narrowed segments. This technique involves cutting the bowel along its length and then folding it onto itself in a side-to-side orientation, which effectively creates a wider channel for intestinal contents to pass through without removing any part of the intestine. The goal is to relieve obstruction and maintain bowel length, which is crucial for patients who may face multiple surgeries over their lifetime due to recurring strictures. The primary cause for performing Michelassi strictureplasty is Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and scarring, leading to narrowing (strictures) in the intestines. This procedure is particularly useful for long strictures, where removing large segments of the intestine could lead to short bowel syndrome, a condition in which there is not enough bowel left to absorb nutrients properly. Complications from Michelassi strictureplasty can include infection, bleeding, or leakage at the surgical site. There is also a risk of recurrent strictures, either at the original site or elsewhere in the bowel, as Crohn's disease is a chronic condition. Additional risks may include bowel obstruction or formation of fistulas (abnormal connections between organs). Despite these risks, Michelassi strictureplasty is a valuable option for preserving intestinal length while effectively treating obstructions caused by long or complex strictures.