What is Gastrectomy?

This is a surgery to remove all or part of the stomach.

Abdominal Organs, Anterior View © 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Gastrectomy is most often done to treat stomach cancer . It is currently the only way to cure stomach cancer. The use of chemotherapy and radiation after surgery may help improve survival. Even if the cancer is too advanced to be cured, gastrectomy can help to prevent bleeding, obstruction, and pain.

In addition to treating stomach cancer, this surgery may also be done to treat:

• Ulcer disease
• Bleeding
• Inflammation
• Benign tumors in the stomach

Possible Complications

If you are planning to have gastrectomy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Damage to nearby organs
• Leaking from the new connection between the stomach, intestine, and/or esophagus
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Hernia formation at the incision site
• Blood clots
• Reaction to anesthesia

Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Obesity
• Advanced age
• Smoking
• Poor nutritional status
• Respiratory disease or cardiac disease

Be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor before the procedure.

Call Your Doctor

After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills
• Redness,...