Gastric surgery procedures

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🗺️ Anatomy - Stomach's Street Map

Arterial Supply of the Stomach

  • Arterial Supply (from Celiac Trunk):
    • Lesser Curve: Left Gastric a. (from celiac) & Right Gastric a. (from proper hepatic).
    • Greater Curve: Left Gastro-omental a. (from splenic) & Right Gastro-omental a. (from gastroduodenal).
    • Fundus: Short Gastric aa. (from splenic).
  • Venous Drainage: Veins parallel arteries, draining into the Portal System.
  • Innervation:
    • Parasympathetic: Vagus n. (Anterior & Posterior trunks).
    • Sympathetic: Celiac plexus.
  • Lymphatics: Follow arteries; crucial for gastric cancer staging.

Surgical Pitfall: A posterior duodenal/gastric ulcer can erode into the gastroduodenal artery or splenic artery, respectively, causing massive hemorrhage. The pancreas lies posterior to the stomach.

✂️ The Gastric Nip/Tuck

Surgical procedures for peptic ulcer disease (PUD), malignancy, or bariatric goals.

  • Gastrectomy: Resection of the stomach.

    • Partial (Antrectomy): Removes antrum; reduces gastrin production.
    • Total: For extensive cancer (e.g., linitis plastica). Requires esophagojejunostomy.
  • Anastomosis Types (Post-Gastrectomy):

    • Billroth I (Gastroduodenostomy): Stomach remnant attached to duodenum.
    • Billroth II (Gastrojejunostomy): Stomach remnant attached to jejunum. Creates a blind duodenal (afferent) loop.
    • Roux-en-Y: Used in bariatrics and cancer surgery. Creates a small gastric pouch anastomosed to a "Roux limb" of jejunum.

📌 Billroth I is 1 limb (duodenum). Billroth II has 2 limbs (duodenal stump + jejunal loop).

Dumping Syndrome: A common complication, especially after Billroth II & Roux-en-Y. Rapid emptying of hyperosmolar chyme into the small intestine causes fluid shifts, leading to hypotension, tachycardia, and diarrhea.

Billroth I and Billroth II gastric anastomoses

🔪 Management - The Bypass Blueprint

  • Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB): Gold standard bariatric procedure combining restriction & malabsorption.
  • Anatomy:
    • A small gastric pouch (~30 mL) is created from the fundus.
    • Stomach, duodenum, & proximal jejunum are bypassed.
    • Roux limb (alimentary) connects to the pouch.
    • Biliopancreatic limb carries digestive juices.
    • Limbs join at the common channel for absorption.
  • Physiology: ↓ Ghrelin (hunger), ↑ GLP-1 & PYY (satiety).

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: Anatomy Diagram

Key Complications & Deficiencies:

  • Dumping Syndrome: Rapid gastric emptying.
  • Nutritional: Iron, B12, Folate, Calcium, Vit D.
  • Surgical: Anastomotic leak/stenosis, marginal ulcers.

🚑 Complications - The Aftermath

  • Dumping Syndrome: Rapid emptying of hyperosmolar contents into small bowel.
    • Early: 15-30 min post-meal. Osmotic fluid shift → hypovolemia, autonomic response (tachycardia, palpitations, diaphoresis, diarrhea).
    • Late: 2-3 hrs post-meal. Rapid glucose spike → exaggerated insulin release → reactive hypoglycemia (dizziness, confusion).
  • Alkaline Reflux Gastritis: Bile reflux into stomach remnant → burning epigastric pain, N/V, unrelieved by vomiting.
  • Afferent Loop Syndrome (Billroth II): Obstruction of afferent limb → stasis, bacterial overgrowth → postprandial pain, bloating, relieved by projectile bilious vomiting.
  • Anemia:
    • Iron deficiency (duodenum/proximal jejunum bypass).
    • Vitamin B12 deficiency (loss of parietal cells → ↓intrinsic factor).

⭐ Post-gastrectomy, patients often require lifelong vitamin B12 injections and iron supplementation due to malabsorption.

⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) is both malabsorptive and restrictive; monitor for iron, B12, folate, and calcium deficiencies.
  • Sleeve Gastrectomy is purely restrictive, removing the fundus and decreasing ghrelin production.
  • Dumping syndrome is a key post-gastrectomy complication due to rapid emptying of hyperosmolar contents.
  • Anastomotic leak is the most feared early complication; suspect with unexplained post-op tachycardia.
  • Vagotomy reduces acid but impairs motility, often requiring a drainage procedure like pyloroplasty.
  • Billroth II reconstruction carries a higher risk of dumping and afferent loop syndrome than Billroth I.

Practice Questions: Gastric surgery procedures

Test your understanding with these related questions

A 54-year-old man comes to the physician because of generalized fatigue and numbness of his legs and toes for 5 months. He has hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. He underwent a partial gastrectomy for peptic ulcer disease 15 years ago. Current medications include amlodipine and atorvastatin. He is a painter. His temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), pulse is 101/min, respirations are 17/min, and blood pressure is 122/82 mm Hg. Examination shows conjunctival pallor and glossitis. Sensation to vibration and position is absent over the lower extremities. He has a broad-based gait. The patient sways when he stands with his feet together and closes his eyes. His hemoglobin concentration is 10.1 g/dL, leukocyte count is 4300/mm3, and platelet count is 110,000/mm3. Which of the following laboratory findings is most likely to be seen in this patient?

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Flashcards: Gastric surgery procedures

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The iliohypogastric nerve is commonly injured due to post abdominal surgery _____

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

The iliohypogastric nerve is commonly injured due to post abdominal surgery _____

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