[Definition and classification of the late complications after gastric resection]

In literature reports dealing with assessment of the long-term results after gastric resection a great diversity exists in terms of clinical definition, denominations, and classification of the late post-resection complications. This gave sufficient reason to the author to carry out personal researches into 126 patients with expressed late complications subsequent to gastric resection with a view to elucidate the type aad incidence of these complications, their etiopathogenesis, clinical peculiarities, possibilities of diagnosis and differential diagnosis and treatment problems, and on the basis of the results obtained to work out a personal classification scheme of post-resection complications which would be utilized both in connection with the diagnosing and treatment of these complications, and in assessment of the long-term results of gastric resection. In the suggested classification are included pathological syndromes representing true post-resection complications and never recorded without resection of the stomach; they run a prolonged course, and exert a permanent effect on the clinical condition and working ability of the operated patients, they are characterized by a typical symptom constellation on the basis of which it is possible to diagnose and differentiate them, and are conditioned by a variety of pathogenetic mechanisms demanding different treatment policy. The pathogenetic and clinical characteristic of the syndromes included in the classification (e.g. dumping syndrome, afferent loop syndrome, digestive insufficiency syndrome, hypoglycemic syndrome, and ulcerous recurrences after gastric resection)are briefly outlined.