ResearchWeb BoardWeb ResourcesSearch
HomeIntroductionProceduresCourses

- contents -
 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | video

Subtotal Gastrectomy


Generally, the first maneuver in gastric resection is to enter the lesser sac. This is achieved by dividing an avascular portion of the greater omentum. The hand elevates the stomach to facilitate this maneuver. The extent of omental resection will depend upon the malignant potential of the lesion. For benign disease, once the lesser sac is entered, the omentum is detached directly along the greater curvature outside the gastroepiploic arcades by electrocautery, clips, or ultrasonic scalpel. For more extensive omental resection, the omentum is detached from the transverse colon along the fusion plane either sharply or with electrocautery to again enter the lesser sac. The most distal region of greater curvature is then approached for the identification of the right gastroepiploic artery.

Division of right gastroepiploic artery
Using laparoscopic instruments in the left hand introduced through the 12 mm port, the artery is dissected, and ultimately divided between endoclips. The hand, throughout the initial and subsequent stages of dissection, is a constantly active participant. The hand can provide blunt dissection, tactile feedback, and a wide range of grasping and retraction options, which can continuously change the exposure, and presentation of the tissue to the laparoscope and laparoscopic instruments.

 

Actual image

Identification of the pylorus 

The first goal of laparoscopic gastric resection is to pedicalize the stomach by dividing the pylorus. Once the right gastroepiploic is divided, the retroduodenal dissection is facilitated by upward retraction on the stomach by the right hand. Small feeding vessels to the pylorus can be divided with electrocautery. The hand can feel and choose a site distal to the pylorus for distal transection margin.
A linear stapler is introduced through the 12 mm port to transect the duodenum
Cross-section of the pylorus

Division of right gastric artery

The hand can then be placed behind the distal stomach segment that is elevated and retracted downward. Dissection along lesser curve (lesser omentum) is carried out. The right gastric artery is identified and then divided between endoclips. Actual image

The lesser omentum is divided along the lesser curve to the site of the proximal resection margin. Descending branches of the left gastric will need to be clipped and divided

While advancing up the lesser curvature, the left lobe of the liver will require retraction. Occasionally this is simply accomplished by using the back of the hand or one extended finger, while the palmar side of the hand can still be engaged in the act of retraction and palpation. Usually, an assistant may hold up the left lobe with a blunt probe introduced through the 5 mm port.

Division along lesser curve of the stomach

 

 

© 2001 UMASS EndoSurgery Center
55 Lake Avenue North · Worcester, MA 01655

Phone: (508) 856-7551