What does total gastrectomy entail?

Total gastrectomy involves the complete surgical removal of the stomach. This procedure is often performed due to conditions such as stomach cancer, severe obesity, or certain inflammatory diseases of the stomach. By removing the entire stomach, the digestive process is significantly altered, as the stomach plays a crucial role in digestion by breaking down food and regulating the flow of contents into the small intestine.

After a total gastrectomy, the food is directed straight from the esophagus into the small intestine, which can lead to changes in how the body absorbs nutrients and can require adjustments in diet and eating habits. Patients may also experience symptoms like dumping syndrome, where food moves too quickly from the stomach into the intestines. Understanding the implications of total gastrectomy helps in managing post-operative care and optimizing the nutritional intake of the patient.

The other options describe components of gastric surgery but do not fully encompass what a total gastrectomy entails. For instance, removal of the pylorus refers specifically to a partial gastrectomy, resection of the duodenum does not relate directly to the stomach's removal itself, and creation of an anastomosis is a surgical technique that may be part of various gastrointestinal surgeries, not solely indicative of total gastrectomy.