Common complications after gastric cancer surgery

Gastrectomy is a commonly used surgical method for the treatment of gastric cancer. The most commonly used surgical methods in clinical practice are proximal and distal subtotal gastrectomy, total gastrectomy and lymph node dissection. Both surgical methods will cause varying degrees of damage to gastric function and may cause a series of complications after surgery.

Poor appetite and malabsorption

Since most of the patient's stomach is removed, the stomach capacity is significantly reduced, and the food stays in the stomach for too short a time, entering the small intestine without sufficient initial digestion, which increases the digestive burden of the small intestine and affects the complete digestion and absorption of food. At the same time, the reduction in stomach capacity also causes the patient to feel full as soon as he eats, which further affects the appetite and absorption of nutrients. Due to poor absorption, a series of related complications such as anemia and vitamin deficiency may also occur.

Anastomotic Leak

Anastomotic leakage is a serious complication after gastric cancer surgery, which is mostly caused by tissue edema, malnutrition, and poor anastomosis technology. Generally, leakage within 3 days after surgery is often caused by surgical techniques, while leakage within 7 to 9 days is mostly caused by other comprehensive factors. In recent years, with the improvement of surgical skills and the application of staplers, the incidence of anastomotic leakage has decreased.

Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis is a common complication after gastrectomy. It is a gastric motility disorder syndrome with gastric emptying disorder as the main sign caused by non-mechanical obstructive factors secondary to surgery. It is also related to vagus nerve severance and changes in gastric tension. Patients may also experience abdominal distension, chest tightness, and upper abdominal discomfort, which may last for more than ten days or about two months. If the color of gastric juice changes or the amount decreases, it is a sign of recovery. When the condition really improves, the patient may feel a sudden emptying of the stomach, the amount of gastric juice drained is significantly reduced, and he can slowly eat normally.