Minimally Invasive Small Intestine Surgery
From relieving obstructions to treating Crohn's disease, our board-certified surgeons utilize advanced robotic techniques to perform precise bowel surgery with faster recovery.
Expert Care for the Small Intestine
The small intestine (small bowel) is where most digestion and nutrient absorption happens. Despite being over 20 feet long, it can develop blockages, twists, or diseases that require surgical intervention.
At California Surgical Specialists, we prioritize bowel preservation—saving as much healthy intestine as possible—while effectively treating the underlying issue. Whether you need emergency relief from a blockage or planned surgery for a tumor, our team uses advanced techniques to get your digestive system working again quickly.
Conditions We Treat
Small Bowel Obstruction (SBO)
The Issue:
A blockage preventing food/liquid from passing. Often caused by scar tissue (adhesions) from previous surgeries or hernias.
Treatment:
We often start with non-surgical management. If surgery is needed, we release the scar tissue (lysis of adhesions) to "untwist" the bowel, often laparoscopically.
Crohn's Disease
The Issue:
Chronic inflammation causing strictures (narrowing) or fistulas.
Treatment:
We perform Strictureplasty (widening the narrowed area without removing it) or limited resections. Our goal is always to save length to prevent long-term nutritional issues.
Small Bowel Tumors
The Issue:
Rare growths like Carcinoid tumors (Neuroendocrine), GISTs (Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors), or Adenocarcinoma.
Treatment:
Surgical removal of the tumor and the associated lymph nodes.
Precision in the Abdomen
Operating on the small bowel requires delicate handling to prevent injury. Dr. Abidali and Dr. Qureshi utilize the da Vinci® Robotic System or Laparoscopy.
Lysis of Adhesions
The robot's precision allows us to carefully peel away old scar tissue from the bowel surface without cutting the bowel itself.
Intracorporeal Anastomosis
When we remove a diseased section, we reconnect the two healthy ends inside the abdomen using the robot. This keeps the incision much smaller than pulling the bowel out to sew it, leading to less pain and lower hernia risk.
Recovery and Diet
Hospital Stay
Typically 2–4 days. We wait for your bowel to "wake up" (return of gas/stool) before discharge.
ERAS Protocol
We use Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols. This means we avoid heavy narcotics (which slow the bowel) and encourage walking immediately to jumpstart digestion.
Diet
You will likely start on liquids and advance to low-fiber ("low residue") foods for a few weeks to let the connection heal without stress.
Dual Expertise
Small bowel surgery crosses the line between General and Colorectal surgery. With Dr. Qureshi's Colorectal Board Certification and Dr. Abidali's Transplant experience (handling the most complex abdominal anatomy), our team is uniquely equipped to handle difficult cases, including patients who have had multiple prior abdominal surgeries.