A patient having a gastrectomy may develop a leak along the suture line following the surgery. This may go undetected for some time and can have serious complications.
Diagnosis:can be made by:
(1) drainage of blue-colored fluid from abdominal drains after swallowing methylene blue
(2) extravasation of contrast material on imaging studies after swallowing a water-soluble contrast material
Many patients can be managed by noninvasive methods, often by the use of an endoluminal stent. However, some patients may require repeat surgery including total gastrectomy.
Complications:
(1) gastrocutaneous fistula
(2) gastrobronchial fistula
(3) gastroenteric fistula
(4) peritonitis
(5) sepsis
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