Gastric re-resection in emergency.
OBJECTIVE
We reviewed a consecutive series of patients with acute complications following gastric resection, in order to evaluate the role of gastric re-resection as the operation of choice in emergency.


METHODS
Records of 90 patients with acute complications following gastric resection observed from January 1991 to January 1996 were retrospectively analyzed.


RESULTS
Hemorrhagic events occurred in the vast majority of cases (87), either as acute complications after a long time since surgery (78 cases) or as early postoperative complications (9). Among late acute complications, three cases were related to bleeding cancer of the gastric stump. Anastomotic obstructions presenting as acute complications occurred in 3 cases. Emergency surgery was indicated in three cases of acute obstruction, in 1 case of bleeding cancer of the gastric stump, in 9 (12%) out of the 75 remaining late acute hemorrhagic complications and in 1 (11%) out of 9 early hemorrhagic complications. Completion gastrectomy was chosen in the one case of bleeding cancer of the gastric stump with indication for emergency surgery. Gastric re-resection was performed in 11 cases: 9 for hemorrhagic complications and 2 for obstructive acute complications. In two cases, one for hemorrhage and one for occlusion, other surgical procedures were carried out.


CONCLUSIONS
Gastric re-resection can represent the most suitable operation in acute complications following gastric resection.
Department of Surgery, Hospital Fatebenefratelli e Oftalmico, Milano, Italy.
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Familiari
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Paternollo
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Agabiti
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Earatti
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Costeri
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Libezio
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D012086:Reoperation / Q000401:mortality; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013270:Stomach / Q000601:surgery*