Bypass, Diversion and Dilatation

Bypass overcomes obstruction and may allow inflammatory oedema to settle. The traumatic aspect of the disease process that is being provoked by intestinal contents being forced under pressure through the stitches is relieved if the narrow area is bypassed. The effect of the bypass on the local disease is similar to that produced by total parenteral nutrition, when there is little apart from intestinal secretion passing through the area. However, bypass does not cure the disease or necessarily overcome the complication of stenosis.