About The Condition
Small bowel cancer is a rare cancer that occurs in the small intestines. Small intestines carry food from your stomach to your large intestines or colon. Adenocarcinoma is the most common form of small bowel cancer. Other forms include sarcoma, carcinoid tumors and lymphoma.
Before Surgery
Prior to your surgery for small bowel cancer, you may be asked to:
- Stop smoking for one month prior to your surgery. Nicotine decreases blood flow and prevents healing after surgery and increases your risk of infection.
- Increase your activity. Aim for 30 minutes of walking or other aerobic activity daily to build strength.
- Improve your nutrition. Add protein supplements such as Boost or Ensure to help your body heal after surgery
Please ask your physician about any additional steps you should take before your surgery.
Surgery
Our surgeons perform open surgery, as well as minimally invasive surgeries, for hernia repair. Your surgeon will explain your particular procedure in more detail.
Minimally invasive surgery.
- Laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic surgery requires only a few small incisions into which your surgeon will fit long, thin surgical instruments and a tiny camera. The camera will provide images to guide the surgeon during the procedure.
- Robotic surgery. Some laparoscopic surgeries may be performed using the da Vinci Surgical System. This robotic option gives your surgeon a magnified 3D high-definition view inside your body. The system also enables the surgeon’s hand movements to be translated into precise movements of small instruments inside your body.
- Minimally invasive surgery is performed with laparoscopy or robot-assisted surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System.
Open surgery. Minimally With open surgery, your physician will make an incision at the site of the abnormality large enough so he or she can see and touch your internal organs while operating.
After Surgery
- You will be encouraged to walk to prevent blood clots, muscle weakness and constipation. Aim for 7,000 steps daily.
- Wear an abdominal binder while upright. You may choose to sleep in the abdominal binder for added comfort.
- You may not be hungry at first, so return to a normal diet slowly. Start with a bland, low-fat diet for the first few days. Continue a multivitamin daily. Check with your physician about using supplements if your appetite is poor.
- You may experience constipation. If so, you may take a laxative such as Miralax or Milk of Magnesia.
- Ice may help to reduce the swelling for the first 48 to 96 hours. Then use heat to ease muscle soreness and relax tight muscles.
- You may use ibuprofen in addition to prescription pain medication to help with pain control.
- A small amount of bleeding or drainage is expected from the wound during the first one or two days.
- You may shower one or two days after surgery, but avoid baths, hot tubs, soaking or swimming for at least two weeks.
- Always talk to your surgeon about weight restrictions and return-to-work options.
- Most patients who have had laparoscopic or robotic surgery are discharged the same day of their surgery.
- You will be asked to see your surgeon in one to three weeks after surgery.
- If you notice a fever greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit or drainage from your wound, let your surgeon know by calling 763.780.6699.
If you have additional questions, please contact us at 763.780.6699.
