[Clinical studies on the complaints of survivors living more than 3 months after total gastrectomy]

Abstract

From 1973 to 1983, 802 patients with gastric cancer were operated on. Out of them, 292 (36.4%) received total gastrectomy. Reconstruction was performed mainly by the Billroth II procedure associated with the closure of the afferent loop according to Plenk's method. 90 patients living more than 3 months complained of the following: heartburn, 18 (20%); reflux, 12 (13.3%); retrosternal pain, 3 (3.3%); stenotic sensation, 23 (25.6%); diarrhea, 10 (11.1%); abdominal pain, 14 (15.6%); and dumping syndrome, 6 (6.7%). It seems to indicate that the quality of life after total gastrectomy is satisfactory.