A gastrectomy is a surgical procedure to remove all or part of the stomach.

Gastrectomy is performed for various stomach diseases, including:

  •  Stomach cancer
  •  Precancerous conditions of the stomach (for example, severe dysplasia)
  •  Benign tumors of the stomach
  •  Perforation or rupture of the stomach
  •  Gastrointestinal bleeding that cannot be stopped by other treatments
  •  Severe gastritis or peptic ulcer

There are several types of gastrectomy, depending on the volume of the part of the stomach being removed.:

  •  Total gastrectomy: The entire stomach is removed.
  •  Subtotal gastrectomy: Most of the stomach is removed, but part of it remains.
  •  Distal gastrectomy: The distal (lower) part of the stomach is removed.
  •  Proximal gastrectomy: The proximal (upper) part of the stomach is removed.
  •  Fundectomy: The upper part of the stomach, including the fundus, is removed.

A gastrectomy is a complex surgical procedure that usually lasts several hours. It can be performed by an open method (through an incision in the abdomen) or laparoscopically (through several small incisions).

During surgery, the surgeon removes the affected part of the stomach and connects the rest of the stomach to the small intestine.

After a gastrectomy, the patient requires a long recovery period, which may take several weeks or even months. During this time, the patient must follow a special diet and take medications to prevent complications.

The success of a gastrectomy depends on a number of factors, including the stage of the disease, the patient's general health, and the type of procedure performed. The overall survival rate after gastrectomy for stomach cancer is about 60% during the first five years.

Advantages:

  •  It saves lives and improves the quality of life of patients with stomach cancer and other serious stomach diseases.
  •  Removes the affected part of the stomach and prevents further spread of the disease.
  •  Allows patients to return to normal activities.

Disadvantages:

  •  A complex and risky surgical procedure.
  •  It requires long-term recovery and lifestyle changes.
  •  It can lead to complications such as digestive and nutritional problems.
  •  Stomach cancer does not always cure, especially if it is at a late stage.