health centersdigestion center

What Is Distal Gastrectomy Surgery?

Disease and Condition: Diverticulosis

What is a distal gastrectomy?

A distal gastrectomy or antrectomy removes part of the stomach and stitches the remainder with an opening into the small intestine.
A distal gastrectomy or antrectomy removes part of the stomach and stitches the remainder with an opening into the small intestine.

Antrectomy (distal gastrectomy) is a procedure that involves surgical removal of the lower 30% of the stomach (antrum). Distal gastrectomy is a type of partial gastrectomy that involves the surgical removal of only a portion of the stomach.  

A partial gastrectomy surgery is followed by a surgery to create a connection (anastomosis) of the remaining portion of the stomach to the duodenum (gastroduodenostomy) or the jejunum (gastrojejunostomy) of the small intestine.

Why is antrectomy (distal gastrectomy) performed?

Antrectomy is mainly indicated in the treatment of gastric ulcers that are:

  • not responsive to medication
  • complicated by holes (perforation)
  • bleeding or obstructing
  • recurring

Antrectomy is also indicated in the treatment of noncancerous tumors or for the early stages of cancer involving the lower part of the stomach.

When should an antrectomy be avoided?

Antrectomy should be avoided in the following conditions:

  • Anemia
  • Hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood)
  • Hypoproteinemia (low protein level in the blood)
  • Severe ascites (fluid in the abdomen)
  • Metastasized cancer (cancer spread to other site or area)
  • Tumors of the liver or pancreas
  • Adhesions as a result of previous surgeries

What happens during the antrectomy surgery?

Before the treatment, you will be counseled regarding the surgery, its complications and its risk and benefits. 

Also, some of the instructions which you need to follow before and on the day of surgery are:

Procedure

During the surgery 

  • The surgeon makes a cut extending from the chest to the belly button. 
  • Once the abdomen is open and accessible, the surgeon conducts a thorough evaluation to assess the extent of disease. 
  • After the assessment, the lower portion of the stomach (antrum) is surgically removed.
  • The remaining portion of the stomach is connected with the duodenum or the jejunum of the small intestine.

What are the complications of distal gastrectomy?

Complications of the antrectomy include

  • Leakage from the newly connected area
  • Infection
  • Bleeding 
  • Blood clots or edema in the newly connected site
  • Recurring ulcer disease
  • Inflammation in the pancreas
  • Dumping syndrome: When the small intestine has to digest a large amount of food at once, it can lead to nausea, diarrhea or vomiting.
  • Gastritis (inflammation of the lining of the stomach)
  • Increasing blood sugar level
  • Fast heart rate
  • Feeling lethargic
  • Confusion

QUESTION

Pancreatitis is inflammation of an organ in the abdomen called the pancreas. See Answer
References
Medscape Medical Reference

MSKCC.org

Top What Is Distal Gastrectomy Surgery Related Articles

  • Children's Abdominal Pain
    Abdominal pain in children can be more than just a tummy ache. What are the common causes of abdominal pain in children? Learn about pediatric abdominal pain symptoms and treatments for stomach pain...
  • Diarrhea
    Diarrhea is a change in the frequency and looseness of bowel movements. Symptoms associated with diarrhea are cramping, abdominal pain, and the sensation of rectal urgency. Causes of diarrhea include...
  • Visual Guide to Stomach Ulcers
    Learn about the causes and symptoms of stomach ulcers, and find out which kinds of treatment can help.
  • Diverticulosis
    Most people with diverticulosis have few if any symptoms at all. When people do experience signs and symptoms of diverticulosis (diverticular disease) they may include abdominal pain, abdominal...
  • Gastric Emptying Study Test
    A gastric emptying study test is one test that is used to help make the diagnosis of gastroparesis where the stomach empties too slowly, or dumping syndrome, where the stomach empties too quickly.
  • Gastritis
    Gastritis (acute and chronic) is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach Some people have no gastritis symptoms, but when they do occur they may include bloating, belching, loss of appetite,...
  • How Long Does It Take to Recover from A Gastrojejunostomy Procedure?
    A gastrojejunostomy is a surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia by a gastrointestinal surgeon. The surgeon produces a direct connection (anastomosis) between the stomach and the...
  • Intestinal Gas
    Intestinal gas and painful bloating are common. Learn about what causes gas pain and how eliminating certain foods from your diet can help relieve symptoms.
  • Peptic Ulcer
    Peptic or stomach ulcers are ulcers in the lining of the stomach, duodenum, or esophagus. Learn about symptoms, causes, diet, and treatment.
  • How Long Does It Take to Recover from A Partial Gastrectomy?
    A partial gastrectomy is usually performed with the patient under general anesthesia by a gastrointestinal surgeon. The surgery is performed in an operation theater, and may take up to five hours and...
  • What Is Gastric (Stomach) Cancer? Signs, Symptoms, Causes
    What are the common signs and symptoms of stomach cancer? Learn about gastric cancer diagnosis, treatment, and their risks, how Heliobacter pylori affects the stomach, what the risk factors are, and...
  • Stomach Picture
    The stomach is a muscular sac located on the left side of the upper abdomen. See a picture of the Stomach and learn more about the health topic.
  • Tummy Trouble Quiz
    Tummy Troubles? Get a better idea of what's causing the nausea, vomiting, bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, pain, and other gastrointestinal discomforts and problems. Take the Tummy Troubles...
  • What Is a Gastrojejunostomy Procedure?
    Gastrojejunostomy is a surgical procedure to create a direct connection (anastomosis) from the stomach to the middle part of the small intestine (jejunum), bypassing or removing the beginning part of...
  • What Is a Partial Gastrectomy?
    A partial gastrectomy is the surgical removal of a portion of the stomach, as opposed to a total gastrectomy in which the entire stomach is removed. This may be done for people with stomach cancer or...