| 15. Postgastrectomy
Malabsorption |
page 249 |
Postgastrectomy
malabsorption frequently follows gastric surgery. The small size of the gastric remnant
causes inadequate mixing of food with digestive juices, particularly after a
gastroenterostomy. With the loss of the pylorus, there may be rapid gastric emptying, poor
mixing of bile and pancreatic secretions, and rapid transit down the small intestine.
Incoordinated secretion and poor mixing of bile and pancreatic juice leads to fat
maldigestion. Bacterial contamination in a blind loop (with gastroenterostomy) results in
maldigestion of fat, carbohydrate, protein, vitamins and minerals. Gastric surgery that
allows food to enter into the upper small intestine without dilution and with minimal
digestion may "unmask" mild and subclinical celiac disease, lactase deficiency
or pancreatic insufficiency. |