Seven hundred and thirty seven patients over 65 years of age (mean 76 years) undergoing gastrectomies from 1979 to 1991 were reviewed to evaluate the cause of stomal stenosis in the early postoperative period. Fifty seven (7.7%) patients, 24 males (5.6%) and 33 females (10.6%), had overt stomal stenosis or obstruction documented by radiological and endoscopic findings. The incidence of stenosis in females was significantly higher than in males (p < 0.05). Complications developed in 19 (20.0%) of 95 patients after gastroduodenostomy (Billroth-I), 29 (6.2%) of 465 after gastrojejunostomy (Billroth-II and others) and 8 (5.0%) of 159 after esophagojejunostomy (total gastrectomy). The incidence of complications in the first was significantly higher than in the other two (p < 0.01). The cause of stomal stenosis was classified into three groups; (1) transient stenosis due to stomal edema in 21 patients, (2) intestinal obstruction immediately adjacent to the stoma (kinking, invagination and volvulus) in 22, (3) organic stenosis of pathological origin (stomal ulcer, anastomotic leakage and strangulation by the proliferated mesocolon) in 14. The period of recovery from postgastrectomy retention was different in each group. It was 20.7 (mean) +/- 7.7 (SD) days in group (1), 29.7 +/- 12.6 days in group (2) and 62.1 +/- 30.0 days in group (3). These mean periods were significantly different from each other (p < 0.01). Group (1) and most of group (2) responded well to conservative management consisting of decompression by nasogastric suction and parenteral feeding but a reoperation was necessary for only two patients in group (2). Half of group (3) was treated by endoscopic dilatation and one third by reoperation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)