The role of total gastrectomy in locally advanced gastric carcinoma.

The role of total gastrectomy in adenocarcinoma of the stomach has been controversial due to the high morbidity and mortality rates associated with the procedure. A retrospective analysis of all total gastrectomies performed for adenocarcinoma of the stomach, between January 1975 and December 1986 at the Tata Memorial Hospital was undertaken to evaluate the results and establish the usefulness of the procedure.