Question

What are possible abnormal assessment findings for a postoperative gastrectomy patient?  

Answer 1

GASTRECTOMY-------- it is also called esophagojejunstomy ,removal of the stomach with attatchment of the esophagus to the jejunum,or duodenum.

There are various abnormal assessment findings after post operative gastrectomy, these are:-

1. VITAMIN DEFICIENCY

2. WEIGHT LOSS

3. DUMPING SYNDROME

4. MORNING SICKNESS

5. DIARRHOEA

ETC............

1. VITAMIN DEFICIENCIES_______ vitamins such as B12 ,C&D that we get from food , if entire stomach has been removed a patient may not get all the vitamins which body needs from diet.

THIS CAN LEADS TO COMPLICATIONS SUCH AS:

Anemia and brittle bones.

*Anemia---- it leads to increase vulnerability to infection.

* Brittle bones---- it weakens muscles , changing our diet may help to compensate for our stomach inability to absorb vitamins supplements, other than changing diet you need to take vitamin supplements.

2. WEIGHT Loss . immediately after gastrectomy a patient can find that even after eating a small amount makes uncomfortably full. This leads to weigh loss.

Losing weight is only desirable when gastrectomy was done for obesity but it can be health risk if a patient has been treated for cancer.

One can regain weight once they have adjusted to the effects of surgery and have changes their diet, but if weight decreases continuously patient should consult a dietician, they will give advice on how to gain weight without disturbing digestive system.

3. DUMPING SYNDROME:- It's a set of symptoms that may affect people after gastrectomy, it is caused when food like starch or sugar suddenly enters into the small intestine.

The amount of water enters into the small intestine is about 1.5 litre (3 pints) , most of the water is from blood , which leads to fall in blood pressure that gives symptoms such as:

* Fainting

*sweating

* Palpitations

* Urge to lie down

EXTRA WATER IN SMALL INTESTINE LEADS TO SYMPTOMS SUCH AS:-

*Bloating

* Nausea

* Indigestion

* Diarrhoea

If patient is having dumping syndrome rest for 20 _ 45 mins after food ,

To ease the symptoms of dumping syndrome following instructions is to be followed......

*Eat slowly

* Avoid soups and liquid food

* Eat small and frequent diet

Avoid sugar , starch , cakes, chocolates, and sweets.

4. MORNING SICKNESS:-_________ partial gastrectomy leads to morning vomiting, it occurs when bile, a fluid used by digestive system to emulsify or break fats , that fluids build up in the first part of small intestine that in duodenum overnight and before moving into ,it remains in the stomach and in order to remove fluid from stomach because the patient feels fullness because of accumulation of gastric juices , it leads to vomiting.

5. DIARRHOEA:-_______ During gastrectomy sometimes it is necessary to cut a nerve called vagus nerve , causing many people to experience bouts of diarrhoea , it controls movement of food through digestive system.