Operationsindikationen bei der diarrhö. Wie laufen die Entscheidungsprozesse ab?

Causes of diarrhea are diverse, therapy mostly symptomatic. Diarrhea, however, is frequently just a symptom of the underlying disease. Not uncommonly, the underlying cause needs surgical intervention. In particular, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and CROHN'S disease can be associated with diarrhea. Furthermore, primary colorectal cancer and, in particular, carcinoid tumors are often accompanied by diarrhea. Paradoxically, chronic constipation can lead to diarrhea as well due to bacterial overgroth and can necessitate surgical intervention. Patients suffering from short bowel syndrome generally need total parenteral nutrition which gained extensive amendement in past years. However, if total parenteral nutrition leads to progressive liver failure or if losses over the gastrointestinal tract necessitate recurrent hospitalization, small bowel transplantation, probably combined with liver transplantation is an alternative with promissing results.