Role of surgery in gastrointestinal bleeding

ABSTRACT

With the help of the evolution of endoscopic and angiographic intervention, nonsurgical techniques became the procedures of choice for the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and role of surgery have been decreased. However, surgical operations are still necessary for controlling bleeding lesions when these maneuvers fail and conventional operations continue to be life-saving in many instances. Laparoscopic surgeries have an advantage of less postoperative pain and wound problem, quicker recovery, and shorter hospital stay and been widely used for GI bleeding. An elective laparoscopic resection of the intestine for appropriate indications may be an ideal application of this technique, while emergent use should be tempered by skillful surgeons because most patients are relatively unstable and time-limited. Newly developed technologies will continue to facilitate collaboration and cooperation between gastroenterologists, radiologists, and surgeons by encouraging working in multispecialty teams. This review will address the surgical approach associated with various treatments for GI bleeding according to many kinds of GI bleeding diseases.