Gastrectomy Surgery

A gastrectomy is a medical-surgical operation in which all or part of the stomach is surgically removed.

The stomach is a muscular and hollow organ of the digestive tract situated on the left side of the upper abdomen. It is one of the parts of the digestive system and functions as a vital digestive organ.

Gastrectomy indications

Recurrent ulcer disease.
Large duodenal perforations
Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST),
Signet ring cell gastric cancer.
Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer
Adenocarcinoma
Bleeding gastric ulcer
Refractory gastric ulcer disease
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs)
Corrosive stricture of the stomach
Primary gastric melanoma
Sleeve gastrectomy, or gastric banding

Types of Gastrectomy

The indications of thyroidectomy are -

A partial gastrectomy takes place when a section of the stomach is excised. Typically, the lowest half is eliminated.
The entire stomach is excised during a total gastrectomy.
The left side of the stomach is cut during sleeve gastrectomy surgery. This procedure is done as part of a surgery for loss of weight.

Book an appointment with a gastrointestinal surgeon or general surgeon for a gastrectomy.

How to prepare

Before the surgery, you have to have some tests, such as surgical blood tests and body scans, as suggested by your doctor. This is done to determine your overall general health.

The doctor will review your medical history and check if you have any bleeding problems, allergies, if you are pregnant, any other medical conditions, etc.

You have to stop certain habits like smoking, chewing tobacco, and excess alcohol consumption, which can delay your recovery period.

An enema may be given to you one night before the surgery. You also have to do overnight fasting, and maybe intravenous fluid will be administered to keep you hydrated.

Procedure

Before the procedure

An hour or two before the procedure, you will be shifted to an operation waiting room area. Once the surgical room is ready for operation, you will be shifted there.
Gastrectomy surgery is performed under general anaesthesia. The anaesthetist will inject anaesthesia to put you into a deep sleep.
Before the gastrectomy procedure, a tube known as a nasogastric tube is introduced into the stomach through the nose to remove the stomach contents.
To expose the stomach, an incision is made from the upper abdomen down to the lower abdominal area.
The adjacent organs are examined to check for any spread of the disease.
The diseased part of the stomach or entire stomach is excised depending upon whether the surgery is partial or total gastrectomy.
Once the operation is over, the abdominal incision is closed with the help of the sutures.
Laparoscopic or robotic surgery is also used to do gastrectomy surgery.
The steps of laparoscopic surgery are similar to open gastrectomy surgery.
Many bariatric surgeries are done by laparoscopy.
In robotic surgery, the surgeon controls the robotic arms remotely and performs the procedure precisely.

Post-operative recovery

You may remain in the hospital for the duration of your gastrectomy treatment.
You will be given intravenous fluids and be allowed to take liquids once your bowel sounds return to normal.
You can slowly consume semi-solid and solid foods as the healing process continues.

Depending on the operation type and your general health, the doctor will decide on your discharge from the hospital.