Problems in the surgical treatment of motility disorders occurring after gastric surgery.

ABSTRACT

Delayed or accelerated gastric emptying and excessive reflux of upper intestinal contents into the stomach are the main disorders of motility occurring after gastric surgery. Most of these syndromes may be treated by conservative measures. When surgical therapy is needed attention must be paid to the possible specific side effects of remedial treatment. Interposition of a reversed jejunal loop in the treatment of dumping after Billroth I gastrectomy may be responsible for the development of an anastomotic ulcer. Roux-en-Y biliary diversion for the surgical treatment of postoperative reflux alkaline gastritis may result in a Roux-en-Y syndrome characterized by severe, delayed gastric emptying. Whenever possible, the pyloric sphincter should be preserved in gastric surgery as the elimination of the pylorus is the main cause of postoperative motility disorders.