Leaks and obstruction after gastric resection.

Postoperative gastric retention may be minimized by avoiding the use of the Billroth I reconstruction when a large duodenal ulcer must be retained. Postoperative gastric retention is more likely to remit with conservative therapy if the procedure was a Billroth I reconstruction with a vagotomy. In other instances where there is difficulty in gastric emptying, a mechanical cause should be strongly suspected. The optimum duration of a conservative trial with suction for postoperative gastric retention may be debatable, and contrast radiography or endoscopy may be helpful; however, patience and suction are not long-term substitutes for a needed operation.