gastrectomy

Definition gastrectomy

gastrectomy: gastrectomy n. a surgical operation in which the whole or a part of the stomach is removed. Total gastrectomy, in which the oesophagus is joined to the duodenum, is usally performed for stomach cancer but occasionally for the *Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. In partial (or subtotal) gastrectomy the upper third or half of the stomach is joined to the duodenum or small intestine (gastroenterostomy): an operation usually carried out in severe cases of *peptic ulcers. After gastrectomy capacity for food is reduced, sometimes leading to weight loss. Other complications for gastrectomy include *dumping syndrome, anaemia, and *malabsorption.