Current options for the diagnosis and management of small bowel lesions include push enteroscopy (PE), video capsule endoscopy (VCE), single-balloon enteroscopy (SBE), double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE), and intraoperative enteroscopy (IOE). IOE, the ultimate diagnostic and therapeutic modality for small bowel disorders, is a major surgical and endoscopic procedure. It should be reserved for cases that cannot be managed with others modalities because of the difficulties of the procedure and significant morbidity. The indication for IOE have diminished in recent years because of the development of VCE and DBE. IOE is reserved for patients with massive mid-gut bleeding, lesions not accessible by balloon enteroscopy, and lesions difficult or impossible to treat by balloon enteroscopy. There are special indications in Crohn disease and in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. Our own results and a review of the literature are presented.