Functional obstruction of efferent loop of jejunum following partial gastrectomy.

Abstract

Subtotal or partial gastric resection is the routine for the majority of operable carcinomas of the stomach and, in the hands of some surgeons, is the operation of choice for intractable gastric or duodenal ulcer.1The operative mortality has steadily declined during the past two decades. Glenn and Harrison2reported one death in 100 consecutive cases of gastric resection for peptic ulcer in 1948. St. John and co-workers1noted a mortality of 4.6% in 394 cases of partial gastric resection for ulcer during the 10 years ending in 1945. Along with operative mortality, the incidence of post-operative complications has diminished. This undoubtedly has resulted from better preparation of the patient for operation and better understanding of the pathological physiology resulting from the operative procedure. One puzzling postoperative complication is an apparently functional obstruction of the efferent loop of jejunum. Repeated postoperative vomiting has been encountered in occasional