[Postgastrectomy syndromes. Development of the aspects in past and present (author's transl)]

After gastric operations about 20 to 30% of all patients complain of an abundance of postoperative gastrointestinal and vasomotor complaints. Research into these "postgastrectomy syndromes" is carried out periodically. In the beginning of this century concepts as precipitated evacuation, dumping stomach, too narrow or too wide anastomosis predominate. In the thirties the subdivision into a so-called early and late dumping syndrome follows. The description and treatment of the afferent loop syndrome in the middle of this century suggest the introduction of functional factors into the explanation of the postgastrectomy syndromes. Next comes the recognition of the pathophysiological significance of the regurgitated duodenal contents into the operated stomach. The endoscopic biopsy gives a broad morphological basis. The postoperative alcaline reflux gastritis temporarily ends the development.