Gastrectomy

Removal of the stomach (total gastrectomy) or, more commonly, part of the stomach (partial gastrectomy). Total gastrectomy is used to treat some stomach cancers. Partial gastrectomy used to be a treatment for peptic ulcers but has largely been replaced by drug treatment. Possible postoperative complications are fullness and discomfort after meals; regurgitation of bile, which may lead to gastritis, oesophagitis, and vomiting of bile; diarrhoea; and dumping syndrome. Other complications include malabsorption, which may lead to anaemia or osteoporosis. After total gastrectomy, patients cannot absorb vitamin B and are given it in the form of injections for the rest of their lives.