
CHAPTER 26 • Gastric Resection: Billroth I 291
3. CLOSING
◆ The upper midline or subcostal incision is closed in usual fashion.
STEP 4: POSTOPERATIVE CARE
◆ Before closure, a nasogastric tube is positioned proximal to the suture line. When bowel
activity has resumed, the nasogastric tube can be removed and clear liquids initiated. If
there is no evidence of gastric retention, the feeding regimen can be progressed.
STEP 5: PEARLS AND PITFALLS
◆ The stomach and duodenum must be thoroughly mobilized for performance of the
anastomosis.
◆ Duodenal edema, shortening, or deformity may prevent performance of a Billroth I anasto-
mosis and require a Billroth II anastomosis for safe closure.
SELECTED REFERENCES
1. Mercer DW, Robinson EK: Stomach. In Townsend CM Jr (ed): Sabiston Textbook of Surgery: The
Biological Basis of Modern Surgical Practice, 18th ed. Philadelphia, Saunders, 2008, pp 1223-1277.
2. Thompson JC: Subtotal gastrectomy with stapled Billroth I anastomosis (also resection for benign distal
gastric ulcer). In Thompson JC (ed): Atlas of Surgery of the Stomach, Duodenum and Small Bowel.
St Louis, Mosby-Year Book, 1992, pp 45-53.
3. Thompson JC: Subtotal gastrectomy with stapled Billroth I anastomosis. In Thompson JC (ed): Atlas of
Surgery of the Stomach, Duodenum and Small Bowel. St Louis, Mosby-Year Book, 1992, pp 55-59.