intestinal bypass [L, intestinum + AS, bi + Fr, passer + Gk, cheirourgos] , a surgical procedure to shorten the digestive tract. It is performed so that less intestinal surface will be available to absorb nutrients from the digested food passing through, as in morbid obesity, or to bypass a blocked or diseased portion of the intestine. The technique usually involves anastomosing the jejunum to the ileum. See also ileal bypass.
