The National Cancer Institute estimates that approximately 21,000 individuals will be diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2010. Along with chemotherapy and radiation, a gastrectomy -- a surgery to remove part or all of the stomach -- is generally performed to treat stomach cancer. In a subtotal gastrectomy, over half of the stomach is removed along with any diseased tissue.
Gastrectomy
A gastrectomy is performed as a treatment for stomach cancer, gastric ulcer bleeding, holes in the stomach wall or for noncancerous polyps or tumors in the stomach. A total, partial or subtotal gastrectomy can be performed depending on the severity of the stomach condition or cancer. The entire stomach is removed in a total gastrectomy while only the diseased portion is removed in a partial gastrectomy. Anywhere from half to three-quarters of the stomach are removed in a subtotal gastrectomy. Other nearby organs or tissues may be removed, such as the spleen or lymph nodes, if the cancer has spread to these areas, according to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America.
Preparation
Before a subtotal gastrectomy, the surgeon may order several tests to perform a successful operation. Common tests include a physical exam, blood tests and a fecal occult blood test to identify blood in the stool. An endoscopy may be performed to examine the digestive tract along with X-rays and CT scan imaging of the stomach and esophagus, according to the ThirdAge website. A special diet and antibiotics may be necessary a few days prior to surgery.
Procedure
A subtotal gastrectomy is performed under general anesthesia in which the patient is unconscious and unaware of the operation. During the procedure, a surgeon makes an incision in the abdomen in the area over the stomach and uses surgical tools to remove a large portion of the stomach. For cancer treatment, a pathologist will be present to examine the cancerous tissue. Once the stomach and other necessary structures are removed, the surgeon connects the remaining stomach to the intestines or esophagus and stitches the patient closed. A subtotal gastrectomy surgery lasts approximately two to three hours, according to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America.
After Surgery
The typical hospital stay after surgery is approximately one week and individuals need several months to fully recover from a subtotal gastrectomy. Individuals may be restricted from eating for the first few days and are gradually introduced to liquids and soft foods. Over time, as the stomach stretches and heals, the majority of subtotal gastrectomy patients can eat fairly normally but may need to eat smaller amounts more frequently, according to the Greenebaum Cancer Center.
Risks
All surgical procedures have risks associated with them. A severe allergic reaction to the anesthesia medication may occur leading to cardiac arrest or breathing problems. Nearby organs may be damaged during the operation and bleeding, blood clots or infection may occur. Obesity, smoking and poor nutrition, old age and respiratory or cardiac diseases may increase the risk of complications during surgery, according to ThirdAge.
