Gastroscopic Findings in Patients with Subtotal Gastrectomy

Abstract

Summary 1.The gastroscopic findings in 62 patients who were asymptomatic 3.5 years after a subtotal gastrectomy for peptic ulcer were compared with 82 patients who had symptoms suggestive of recurrent ulcer following such an operation. 2.No difference in the size of the gastric remnant or stoma could be demonstrated in patients with and without dumping symptoms. 3.The incidence of normal gastric mucosa was the same in both the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups. (When abnormalities were seen, there was a tendency for multiple abnormalities to occur in the symptomatic group.) 4.No correlation was noted between the size of the gastric remnant and the recurrence of an ulcer. 5.By the use of both radiologic and gastroscopic examinations 34 ulcers were demonstrated in the 82 symptomatic patients. 6.It is suggested that the finding of a fish-mouth narrowed stoma is significant and indicative of ulcerative disease.