Anastomosis is a term used in anatomy to describe a connection or opening between two structures that are normally diverging or branching. In medicine, anastomosis typically refers to a surgical connection between two tubular structures, channels, or passages that typically do not attach. Anastomosis can be used to repair damage to veins or arteries, create a bypass for blocked arteries, connect a donor organ to a blood supply, or rejoin two sections of the intestine after the removal of damaged or diseased tissue. Anastomosis can also occur naturally in the body in the circulatory system, serving as backup routes for blood flow if one link is blocked or otherwise compromised/18%3A_Cardiovascular_System%3A_Blood_Vessels/18.2%3A_Arteries/18.2D%3A_Anastomoses). There are different types of anastomosis, including vascular anastomosis, which joins two blood vessels, and intestinal or bowel anastomosis, which reconnects a part of the bowels with another part of the GI tract. Anastomosis can be performed using laparoscopy, which is a minimally invasive procedure that involves inserting a laparoscope into a small incision in the abdomen. Anastomotic leak is a rare but serious complication of anastomosis, which occurs when there is a leak at the site of the anastomosis.