What it means
In surgery, the joining of two ends after part of an organ is removed or bypassed, for example after a bowel resectionBOW-ul ree-SEK-shunSurgery to remove a section of the small or large intestine.Full entry or in a coronary bypass graft. Surgeons join them with sutures or staples. The body also has natural anastomoses, where blood vessels connect so blood has another route if one is blocked.
For the nurse
After bowel surgery, the main danger is an anastomotic leak. Report fever, a fast heart rate, new or worse belly pain, or a change in the drainage from the wound or drain, especially in the first week.
At a glance
| Spanish | anastomosis |
|---|---|
| Also written | anastomoses, anastomotic |
Related terms
bowel resection
Surgery to remove a section of the small or large intestine.