[Delayed gastric emptying following subtotal gastrectomy]

A case of prolonged gastric retention, after truncal vagotomy and antrectomy, is reported. The clinical picture was initially thought to be due to an organic obstruction. The patient was reoperated, having a Billroth-II anastomosis converted into a Roux--en--Y. The gastric retention reappeared soon after the reoperation. After a long period on nutritional support, the patient resumed tolerance first to a solid food and then to liquids. Later a bezoar of Candida albicans was discovered in the gastric stump. After gastric lavage, the patient remained free of symptoms. The importance on the assessment by gastroscopy as well as the conservative treatment in case of postoperative gastric retention is emphasized in this paper.