Indications for the procedure:

  •  Malignant tumors of the stomach (stomach cancer)
  •  Benign tumors of the stomach that cause complications (for example, bleeding, obstruction)

Types of gastrectomy:

  •  Subtotal gastrectomy: Removal of a part of the stomach, usually the left half.
  •  Total gastrectomy: Removal of the entire stomach.
  •  Gastrectomy with preservation of the proximal gastric artery: Removal of most of the stomach, including the bottom, but preservation of the upper part of the stomach and esophagus.
  •  Laparoscopic gastrectomy: Removal of the stomach through small incisions in the abdominal cavity.

Gastrectomy is usually performed under general anesthesia. Depending on the type of gastrectomy, the surgeon will perform the following:

  •  He will make an incision in the abdominal cavity.
  •  It will bind the blood vessels and ligaments connecting the stomach to the surrounding structures.
  •  It will remove the tumor.
  •  It will form a new connection between the esophagus and the rest of the stomach or small intestine.
  •  It will close the incision.

Recovery:

  •  The average length of hospital stay is 5-7 days.
  •  You will need to follow a low-fiber diet for several weeks.
  •  Gradually, you will return to normal activities within 4-6 weeks.

Potential complications:

  •  The bleeding
  •  Infection
  •  The obstruction
  •  Dumping syndrome (rapid emptying of the stomach, leading to nausea, vomiting and diarrhea)
  •  Nutritional deficiency

The prognosis for stomach cancer depends on the stage of the disease, the degree of malignancy of the tumor and the presence of other risk factors. Patients with early-stage gastric cancer have a higher survival rate after gastrectomy.