Two stage total gastrectomy in a case of multiple bleeding gastric ulcers

A 78-year-old man with severe diabetes mellitus fell into shock due to bleeding from multiple gastric ulcers. Near-total gastrectomy without reconstruction was performed in the initial operation to save his life. After his general condition improved, total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy was performed in a second procedure. As this two stage total gastrectomy can avoid excessive operative stress, and prevent rebleeding and breakdown at the anastomosis, we consider it a valuable procedure for patients who have multiple bleeding gastric ulcers involving almost the whole stomach, and who have very poor general condition or severe complications at the time of operation.