[Gastric necrosis caused by acute gastric dilatation. Total gastrectomy. Recovery]

Acute gastric dilatation, a rare affection, has multiple origins. An episode of bulimia following a fast in relation to an anorexia nervosa is one of the classical causes of its onset. Diagnosis is by radiology and should be made urgently before instituting medical treatment combining aspiration and effective intensive care measures. Recovery is the general rule. The formation of an infarct and gastric perforation are complications of delayed diagnosis and are of extreme gravity, leading to a fatal outcome in more than 80% of cases. In the case reported, recovery was obtained by emergency total gastrectomy for global gastric infarction. Perioperative fibroscopy is the essential key to the choice between temporary esophageal exclusion or immediate re-establishment of digestive continuity.