Indications:
The most common indication for this operation is to remove cancerous tumours that are embedded in the stomach wall. Other indications include benign (non-cancerous) tumours, complicated ulcers, and removal of part of the stomach that has poor blood flow (resulting from blood clots).
Procedure:
A gastrectomy is an operation that removes either part of the stomach (partial) or the entire stomach (total). The small bowel or intestine can be used to join the remaining stomach to the oesophagus as needed. Your surgeon will discuss the procedure with you in detail and will answer any questions you may have before the operation. This operation may be performed by minimally invasive or keyhole surgery or through an open operation through a cut in upper part of the tummy along the midline.
- The main surgical complication would be a leak where the stomach and the intestines are reconnected/joined. (anastomotic leak). This occurs in less than 5% of patients. This can be life threatening and may require emergency repeat surgery.
- Other risks include injury to the intestine or spleen, bleeding, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), delayed return of bowel function (temporary inability to pass wind or stool), wound infection, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary emboli (blood clots in the lungs), atelectasis (lung collapse) or pneumonia (infection in the lungs).
- Later complications may occur such as a suture granuloma (growths on the surgical wound) or a hernia at the site of the wound.
After your consultation:
- Obtain authorization from your medical aid and book your bed for your hospital admission.
- Carefully read through pre-operative information provided.
Day before surgery:
- Do not eat/drink after 22h00, the night before your surgery, unless otherwise specified by your surgeon or anaesthetist (you should be fasting for at least 6 hours before the procedure for solids but you are allowed to take clear liquids up to two hours before your procedure).
Day of surgery:
- Arrive for admission at indicated time on ‘Code & Consent’ sheet.
- Change into theatre attire, remove all valuable belongings.
Approximately 2-3 hours
Duration of hospital stay:
- 5-10 days (dependent on pain management, general state of patient and first bowel movement).
Activities:
- Refrain from strenuous activities (incl. exercise) for at least 4 weeks post-operatively.
Back to work:
- Sick leave required post-operatively is approximately 14-21 days.
Some pain and discomfort post operatively may be expected following any operation, but the following measures are used to lessen the pain experienced:
- Warming devises in theatre as well as warm intravenous fluids.
- Intra-operative pain medication through the drip.
- Post-operative medication through the drip, please inform the nurses if you are in pain so that medication will be administered to you.
- As close to one week after discharge as possible. Please contact the rooms to schedule an appointment.
More procedures performed by Dr Jeske
A SKIN INCISION IS MADE AND THE CONTENTS OF THE ABSCESS IS DRAINED.
THE FISTULA TRACT IS IDENTIFIED AND IS OPENED ALONG ITS LENGTH, AND THE EXPOSED INSIDE OF THE TRACT IS THEN CLEANED OUT.
AN OPERATION TO REMOVE AN APPENDIX THAT IS INFLAMED/SWOLLEN/HAS RUPTURED/HAS FORMED AN ABSCESS.
THE COMMON BILE DUCT (CBD – THE MAIN TUBE CARRYING BILE FROM THE LIVER TO THE INTESTINE) IS OPENED UP. ANY GALLSTONES WITHIN THE DUCT CAUSING A BLOCKAGE CAN BE REMOVED.
PTC is a procedure performed by a radiologist (specialist X-ray doctor) who takes X-ray pictures of the bile ducts which are tubes inside the liver.
