Ulcer surgery is used to cure peptic ulcer disease when medications and other methods have failed. Surgery is typically performed on bleeding or perforated ulcers and in cases where the stomach outlet or the duodenum has become deformed and restricted by scar tissue. There are three types of common surgeries for ulcers: vagotomy, gastrectomy, and pyloroplasty. Vagotomy is a treatment where the nerves to the stomach are cut. Partial gastrectomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing a part of the stomach. Pyloroplasty, along with vagotomy, is a procedure that widens the base of the stomach.
Vagotomy is a good way to reduce the acidity of the stomach. By removing the peptic cells that produce acid, it transmits messages from the brain to the stomach that the nerves have been cut. With this comes the hope that it would treat or prevent peptic ulcers. The newest variation of vagotomy involves cutting only parts of the nerve that control the acid secreting cells of the stomach. Side effects of this include persistent abdominal pain, vomiting, dumping, or diarrhea.
Gastrectomy is a partial or full surgical removal of the stomach. This is done to treat cancer. However, in a severe case of ulcer, it may be necessary to remove the lower portion of the stomach called the pylorus. Side effects obviously include the loss of a storage place for food while it is being digested. Since a small amount of food can be allowed into the small intestine at a time, the patient will have to eat regularly in small amounts to prevent gastric dumping syndrome.
Pyloroplasty is a surgery that includes a cut around the belly button or in the upper right part of the belly. It involves cutting through some of the thickened muscle to relieve the narrowing. The cut through the muscle is then closed horizontally to keep the pylorus open and allow the stomach to empty. Risks to this procedure include the damage to the intestine, leakage of stomach contents, and long term diarrhea.
References:
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