A technique by which narrowing or blockage of an artery, vein or a section of the gastrointestinal tract is bypassed using surgery. Arterial blockages — usually caused by atherosclerosis — in the carotid, coronary or iliofemoral arteries are bypassed utilising sections of artery or vein taken from elsewhere in the patient. Tumour growths in the intestines are sometimes too large to remove and can be bypassed by linking up those parts of the intestines on each side of the growth.
Bypass surgical procedures are employed to address blockages or constrictions within the body. The term “bypass” commonly refers to operations performed on arteries to restore proper blood flow. However, bypass operations can also be utilized to treat blockages within the digestive system, ensuring the continuity of normal digestive processes.
Coronary artery bypass surgery is the most frequently performed type of bypass operation, primarily employed to address coronary artery disease. This condition arises when the arteries become obstructed or narrowed due to atherosclerosis. The blockages can be circumvented by utilizing segments of healthy arteries or veins from other areas of the body or by implementing synthetic tubing made of materials such as dacron. This procedure aims to restore proper blood flow to the heart and alleviate the effects of coronary artery disease.
Intestinal bypass surgeries are primarily conducted as a treatment option for cancer patients when the tumor is too advanced to be surgically removed. In such cases, where the blockage caused by the tumor is unmanageable, the affected region of the intestine is bypassed by connecting the sections of bowel located above and below the obstruction. This approach aims to restore the normal flow of intestinal contents and provide relief to patients with extensive cancerous growths that cannot be excised through traditional surgical means.