Serial Transverse Enteroplasty (STEP)

This chapter describes the surgical procedure for serial transverse enteroplasty (STEP) as performed by the following approach: open. The text includes an introduction that outlines the indications, risks, alternatives, essential steps, needed equipment, and variations in technique for the procedure in question. This is followed by a template operative dictation, which provides the reader with an operative report, such as is found in a patient chart or electronic medical record. A description is provided of the following critical concepts for this procedure: preoperative assessment with upper gastrointestinal (GI) follow through, abdominal entry, complete lysis of adhesions, assessment of bowel length and dilation, serial transverse enteroplasty, reassessment of bowel length, and abdominal closure.