Definition

Gastrectomy is surgery to remove part or all of the stomach.

If only part of the stomach is removed, it is called partial gastrectomy
If the whole stomach is removed, it is called total gastrectomy

Description

The surgery is done while you are under general anesthesia (asleep and pain-free). The surgeon makes a cut in the abdomen and removes all or part of the stomach, depending on the reason for the procedure.

Depending on what part of the stomach was removed, the intestine may need to be re-connected to the remaining stomach (partial gastrectomy) or to the esophagus (total gastrectomy).

Today, some surgeons perform gastrectomy using a camera. The surgery is done with a few small surgical cuts. The advantages of this surgery, which is called laparoscopy, are a faster recovery, less pain, and only a few small cuts.

Why the Procedure Is Performed

Gastrectomy is used to treat:

Bleeding
Inflammation
Non-cancerous (benign) tumors
Polyps

Risks

Risks of any anesthesia include:

Severe medication reaction
Problems breathing

Risks of any operation include:

Bleeding
Infection

Before the Procedure

If you are a smoker, you should stop smoking several weeks before surgery and not start smoking again after surgery. Smoking slows recovery and increases the risk of problems. Tell your doctor or nurse if you need help quitting.

Always tell your doctor or nurse:

If you are or might be pregnant
What drugs, vitamins, herbs, and other supplements you are taking, even ones you bought without a prescription

During the week before your surgery:

You may be asked to stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), vitamin E, warfarin (Coumadin), and any other drugs that make it hard for your blood to clot.
Ask your doctor which drugs you should still take on the day of your surgery.

On the day of your surgery:

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery.
Take the drugs your doctor told you to take with a small sip of water.
Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to arrive at the hospital.

After the Procedure

How well you do after surgery depends on the reason for the surgery and your condition.

After surgery, there may be a tube in your nose which will help keep your stomach empty. It is removed as soon as your bowels are working well.

Most patients have mild discomfort from the surgery. You can easily control this with pain medications.

Patients usually stay in hospital for 6-10 days.

After discharge, you should perform light activity for the first 4 - 6 weeks. If you take narcotic pain medications, you should not drive.

Reviewed By

Review Date: 11/05/2010

Shabir Bhimji MD, PhD, Specializing in General Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed byDavid Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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