Presumptive, iatrogenic gastric outflow obstruction associated with prior gastric surgery

Iatrogenic gastric outflow obstruction in two dogs appeared to be caused by prior gastric surgery. The obstructions were believed to be anatomical rather than functional based on endoscopic examinations. Initially, the dogs had been evaluated and each had received two abdominal surgeries because of gastrointestinal bleeding, vomiting, or both. Eventually, both dogs were euthanized due to complications arising after attempted surgical correction of the iatrogenic obstructions. While gastric surgery commonly is performed, it seldom is considered to be a potentially harmful procedure. However, as these cases demonstrate, the decision to perform a gastrotomy must be weighed against possible risks and complications. Iatrogenic gastric outflow obstruction associated with surgery may be prevented by minimizing tissue inversion into the gastric lumen when surgery is performed near the pyloric outflow tract. Additionally, when large lesions near the pylorus are resected surgically, preservation of the continuity of the outflow tract is necessary.