DIGESTIVE DISORDERS FOLLOWING TOTAL GASTRECTOMY FOR GASTRIC-CANCER - TREATMENT AND THE ACHIEVED IMPROVEMENT OF DIGESTION

Gastrectomy for the treatment of gastric cancer might cause severe disorders of intestinal absorptions of vitamines, minerals, electrolytes and most nutritious components. This is due to the severe limitation of various digestive functions. These deficiencies require a specific substitution therapy and a pharmacological treatment of the underlying digestive disorders. Very important are pancreas enzymes, fat solubile vitamines, vitamine B12 and iron administration. In addition, eating more frequent and smaller meals are,of utmost importance. In our study 48 patients without tumor recurrence were evaluated. 87% of these patients presented at least one >>postgastrectomy symptom<< mainly the inability to eat meals of normal volumes. These problems were moderate in general. However, in less than 30% severe symptoms like dumping, GI stenosis, loss of appetite etc. were seen. The advantage of this treatment was documented when 75% of this study population were pleased with their eating conditions and showed a gain in body weight when compared with the postoperative weight.