Medical expert of the article
New publications
Postgastrectomy gastritis
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Postgastrectomy gastritis is gastric atrophy that develops after partial or subtotal gastrectomy (except in cases of gastrinoma).
Metaplasia of the remaining mucous membrane of the body of the stomach is characteristic. The degree of gastritis is usually greatest in the anastomosis zone.
[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ], [ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ], [ 8 ], [ 9 ]
What causes postgastrectomy gastritis?
Several mechanisms are responsible for this process: bile reflux, which is characteristic of such an operation, damages the gastric mucosa; removal of the gastrin-producing antrum reduces excitation of parietal and pepsin cells, causing atrophy; and vagotomy, which contributes to the loss of the trophic effect of the vagus nerve.
Symptoms of postgastrectomy gastritis
There are no specific symptoms of postgastrectomy gastritis. Postgastrectomy gastritis often progresses to severe atrophy and achlorhydria. Intrinsic factor production may be impaired, with vitamin B12 deficiency ( deficiency may be exacerbated by bacterial proliferation in the afferent loop). The relative risk of gastric adenocarcinoma increases 15 to 20 years after partial gastrectomy; however, given the low incidence of cancer after gastrectomy, routine endoscopic surveillance is not cost effective, but evidence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding or anemia in such patients warrants endoscopy.