When a condition requires the full or partial removal of the stomach, a procedure known as gastrectomy is performed. At Surgical Associates of Marshall County, our surgical specialists offer laparoscopic gastrectomy to help you safely overcome stomach ailments with minimal downtime and discomfort.
When is Gastrectomy Needed?
Gastrectomy is commonly used to treat stomach cancer (gastric cancer). Because surgical removal of the tumor is one of the most effective ways to treat and prevent the spread of cancer, part or all of the stomach, as well as the surrounding lymph nodes, may need to be removed along with the malignant tissue.
There are three types of gastrectomy that may be performed depending on the most effective form of treatment for your condition:
Because gastrectomy is performed under general anesthesia, patients are entirely asleep and feel no pain during the procedure.
Our surgeons perform gastrectomy via laparoscopic methods whenever possible, which means it is completed using a specialized surgical camera (laparoscope) through tiny incisions in the abdominal wall. Laparoscopic surgery uses these advanced tools to help patients recover faster, with less pain and scarring.
If you suffer from stomach cancer, radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy may be recommended to ensure that the cancerous cells have been entirely eradicated.
After partial gastrectomy, a tube may be inserted in your nose to provide suction that keeps the stomach empty. In cases of total gastrectomy, this tube may be placed in the small intestine. The tube will be removed when bowel function returns.
The body can still digest food and liquid after laparoscopic gastrectomy, but some permanent dietary changes may need to be made. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions, which may include eating smaller meals and taking vitamin supplements.
