Best Doctor List Near You for Strictureplasty in Hagerstown

Strictureplasty is a surgical procedure used to treat strictures, or narrowings, in the intestines, typically caused by inflammatory conditions like Crohn's disease. The procedure involves widening the narrowed segments of the bowel without removing any portion of it. This is achieved by making a longitudinal incision along the length of the stricture and then suturing it in a transverse direction. This increases the diameter of the bowel, allowing food and waste to pass through more easily while preserving bowel length, which is important for maintaining proper digestion and nutrient absorption. Strictureplasty is particularly useful for patients with multiple strictures or recurrent bowel narrowing, where removing parts of the intestine would lead to short bowel syndrome. The primary cause for performing strictureplasty is Crohn's disease, where chronic inflammation leads to scarring and narrowing of the intestinal walls. Other causes can include prior surgeries, infections, or radiation exposure that result in scar tissue formation, leading to a stricture. The goal of the procedure is to alleviate symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramping, and bowel obstruction caused by the stricture. Complications of strictureplasty can include infection, bleeding, or leakage from the site where the bowel was incised and sutured. There is also a risk of the stricture recurring or new strictures developing in other parts of the bowel. Additionally, some patients may experience bowel obstruction due to adhesions or scar tissue from the surgery itself. Despite these risks, strictureplasty is a valuable option for treating strictures while preserving intestinal function and length.