Management of resectable lesions of the small bowel.

During a 12-year period at the Los Angeles County General Hospital there were 364 cases of resection and anastomosis of the small intestine which were classified and studied. Particular attention was paid to the methods of anastomosis. There were more wound infections, fistulas and otherwise faulty anastomosis with the open than with the closed technique. In the presence of a peritoneal cavity not previously contaminated by bowel content, a closed anastomosis is better and safer than an open anastomosis.