Introduction: The stomach is an organ considered resistant to ischemia because of the microvascular networks in the stomach wall, and gastric remnant necrosis following gastrectomy is rare. Herein, we report a case of gastric remnant necrosis following gastrectomy successfully treated using a conservative approach.
Case presentation: An 83-year-old woman underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy, D1 plus lymphadenectomy, Billroth Ⅰreconstruction, and suture closure of the esophageal hiatus for early gastric cancer and giant esophageal hiatal hernia. The amylase level of the drainage fluid was abnormally high on postoperative day(POD)3, and contrast-enhanced CT confirmed gastric remnant necrosis. The patient was treated using a conservative approach, as her general condition was stable. Postoperative fluoroscopy on POD 21 revealed contrast media leakage from the gastric remnant; however, adequate drainage was observed. Upper gastrointestinal(GI)endoscopy on POD 23 demonstrated circumferential gastric remnant necrosis, whereas GI endoscopy on POD 52 revealed a decrease in the size of the gastric remnant, proliferation of the granulation tissue, and regeneration of mucosa in the gastric remnant.
Discussion: Gastric remnant necrosis following gastrectomy is a rare complication and is associated with poor prognosis. In most cases, total resection of the remnant stomach is warranted. However, for high surgical risk cases, conservative treatment options should be considered based on an assessment of patients' general condition.