Gastrectomy

Gastrectomy is a surgical procedure in which part or all of the stomach is removed. It is typically used to treat certain types of cancers, including stomach cancer, gastric lymphoma, and esophageal cancer. It can also be used to control symptoms of severe ulcers or gastroparesis, a condition in which the stomach empties too slowly. During a gastrectomy, the surgeon first makes an incision in the abdomen. Then, they separate the stomach from the other organs in the abdomen, including the esophagus, small intestine, and large intestine. The stomach is then removed through the incision or cut into smaller pieces for removal. Finally, the surgeon will either reconnect the esophagus directly to the small intestine or attach the remaining part of the stomach to the small intestine. The type of gastrectomy performed will depend on the type of cancer and its location. For stomach cancer, a partial or subtotal gastrectomy is usually performed, in which part of the stomach is removed. For esophageal cancer, a total gastrectomy is usually performed, in which the entire stomach is removed. Gastrectomy is a major surgery and requires a long recovery period.