Vagotomy Health Dictionary

A major operation to remove the whole or part of the STOMACH. Total gastrectomy is a rare operation, usually performed when a person has cancer of the stomach; the OESPHAGUS is then connected to the DUODENUM. Sometimes cancer of the stomach can be treated by doing a partial gastrectomy: the use of partial gastrectomy to treat PEPTIC ULCER used to be common before the advent of e?ective drug therapy.

The operation is sometimes still done if the patient has failed to respond to dietary treatment and treatment with H2-blocking drugs (see CIMETIDINE; RANITIDINE) along with antibiotics to combat Helicobacter pylori, an important contributary factor to ulcer development. Partial gastrectomy is usually accompanied by VAGOTOMY, which involves cutting the VAGUS nerve controlling acid secretion in the stomach. Among the side-effects of gastrectomy are fullness and discomfort after meals; formation of ulcers at the new junction between the stomach and duodenum which may lead to GASTRITIS and oesophagitis (see OESOPHAGUS, DISEASES OF); dumping syndrome (nausea, sweating and dizziness because the food leaves the stomach too quickly after eating); vomiting and diarrhoea. The side-effects usually subside but may need dietary and drug treatment.... gastrectomy

An operation in which the pylorus (the outlet from the stomach) is widened to allow free passage of food into the intestine.

Pyloroplasty may be performed as part of the surgery for a peptic ulcer, or to prevent tightening of the pyloric muscles after vagotomy.... pyloroplasty

an ulcer in the duodenum, caused by the action of acid and pepsin on the duodenal lining (mucosa) of a susceptible individual. It is usually associated with an increased output of stomach acid. Infection of the *antrum of the stomach with *Helicobacter pylori is almost always present. Other causes include ingestion of aspirin or other *NSAIDs. Symptoms include chronic episodic pain in the upper abdomen, especially when the stomach is empty; vomiting occurs infrequently. Complications include bleeding (see haematemesis), *perforation, and obstruction due to scarring (see pyloric stenosis). Bleeding ulcers may be amenable to endoscopic therapy. Symptoms are relieved by antacid medicines; most ulcers heal if treated by an *antisecretory drug. H. pylori infection requires a combination of a *proton-pump inhibitor (or an H2-receptor antagonist) and two different antibiotics over a 7-day period. Surgery (see gastrectomy; vagotomy) is now rarely required.... duodenal ulcer

n. a surgical operation in which the *duodenum (usually the third or fourth part) is joined to an opening made in the stomach in order to bypass an obstruction (such as *pyloric stenosis) or to facilitate the exit of food from the stomach after vagotomy. Much more commonly a *gastrojejunostomy or *gastroenterostomy is performed. See also duodenostomy.... gastroduodenostomy

a rare disorder in which there is excessive secretion of gastric juice due to high levels of circulating *gastrin, which is produced by a pancreatic tumour (see gastrinoma) or an enlarged pancreas. The high levels of stomach acid cause diarrhoea and peptic ulcers, which may be multiple, in unusual sites (e.g. jejunum), or which may quickly recur after *vagotomy or partial *gastrectomy. Treatment with proton-pump inhibitors, by removal of the tumour (if benign), or by total gastrectomy is usually effective. [R. M. Zollinger (1903–92) and E. H. Ellison (1918–70), US physicians]... zollinger–ellison syndrome