[Massive hemorrhage in the small intestine]

Haemorrhage into the small intestine accounts only for cca 1% of all haemorrhages into the gastrointestinal tract. Profuse haemorrhage is very rare, it occurs in malignant tumours, sarcomas and also haemangiomas. Preoperative diagnosis is practically impossible not only because the small intestine is not readily accessible for examination but in case of profuse haemorrhage also because of lack of time. Therefore a decision on early laparotomy has to be taken.