All about Gastrectomy surgery in Vikas Puri, Delhi
Gastrectomy is a surgery procedure for partial or even complete removal of the stomach. This complex surgery is needed to treat gastrointestinal conditions that include gastric cancer, ulcers, and stomach disorders. Gastro specialist At UK Nursing Home, a hospital in Vikas Puri, explains gastrectomy, its types, and cases where it is needed in detail in this article.
Types of Gastrectomy
There are the following types of Gastrectomy:
- Total Gastrectomy: In a total gastrectomy, the entire stomach is removed. It is indicated for advanced stages of gastric cancer conditions. The esophagus is then directly connected to the small intestine to restore digestive continuity.
- Partial Gastrectomy: In a partial gastrectomy, only a portion of the stomach is removed, leaving a part intact. It is performed for treating particular gastric cancer or non-cancerous conditions affecting that region of the stomach.
- Proximal Gastrectomy: Proximal gastrectomy is a type of gastric surgery in which the upper portion (proximal) of the stomach is removed. It is chosen for tumours near the junction of the esophagus and stomach.
Symptoms when Doctors recommend gastrectomy
Doctors or gastro specialists go for gastrectomy surgery in the following conditions:
- Changes in Eating Habits: When the patients start to feel full quickly, even after consuming small amounts of food, due to the reduced stomach capacity. Patients can experience changes in hunger patterns, and their appetite gets diminished.
- Digestive Changes: This condition occurs when food moves too fast from the stomach to the small intestine, leading to nausea, cramping, sweating, and diarrhoea.
- Nutritional Deficiencies: Malabsorption: Reduced stomach size affect the absorption of essential nutrients, causing deficiencies in vitamins and minerals. Patients need to take nutritional supplements, including vitamins B12, D, and iron, to meet their body’s requirements.
- Weight Loss: Post-gastrectomy, patients experience weight loss, in the initial months. It stabilises over time as the body adjusts to the new digestive patterns.
- Changes in Bowel Habits: Altered digestive processes result in changes in bowel habits. Some patients feel diarrhoea, while others have constipation.
- Blood Sugar Changes: Patients experience low blood sugar levels after meals, leading to symptoms like dizziness, sweating, and irritability. Patients also notice changes in their taste preferences, with certain foods tasting differently or becoming less appealing.
Diseases that can be cured with this Gastro surgery
The following diseases can be treated using this surgery:
- Gastric Cancer: Gastrectomy is a curative treatment for gastric cancer. Early-stage cancers are treated with partial gastrectomy.
- Peptic Ulcers: Peptic ulcers that do not respond to medicines require surgery. This helps prevent bleeding or perforation.
- Tumors: Non-cancerous tumors or growths in the stomach require surgical removal, based on their size and location.
- Certain hereditary conditions, such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC), prompt prophylactic gastrectomy to reduce cancer risk.
Tests for diagnosing Gastrectonomy need:
Doctors do a series of tests and assessments before taking a call on the need for this surgery, these are mentioned below:
- A list of tests, including endoscopy, imaging studies, and biopsies, are conducted to understand the magnitude of the condition.
- Nutritional status is determined to assess the ability to withstand the surgery
- Patient’s mental and emotional well-being. Patients are briefed about the procedure, risks, and the expected outcomes.
Gastrectomy Surgery in Vikas Puri, Delhi Procedure
The following steps are followed:
- Gastrectomy is performed under general anesthesia.
- A surgeon makes an incision in the abdomen to access the stomach.
- Depending on the type of gastrectomy, the surgeon removes the portion or the entire stomach.
- After stomach removal, the digestive tract is reconstructed to maintain continuity and facilitate the passage of food.
- Lymph nodes near the stomach are removed to assess cancer cells.
Patients transition from a liquid to a soft diet, adapting to the changes in the digestive system after the surgery during the recovery.
Potential Complications with this stomach surgery
- Rapid emptying of the stomach contents into the small intestine can lead to symptoms like nausea, sweating, and abdominal cramps.
- Reduced stomach capacity result in nutritional deficiencies, necessitating supplementation.
- Patients experience changes in appetite, preferences, and tolerance for certain foods.
Gastrectomy is a complex stomach surgery for the treatment of gastric conditions, including cancer. Our doctors at UK Nursing Home in Vikaspuri, Delhi are committed to minimise the need for surgery and helping patients recover without it but if in case surgery is the only option, our specialist stomach surgeons ensure a safe surgery. You can always consult our specialists gastro doctor in Vikas Puri for a second opinion before going for it.