[Follow-up study of B-II-stomachs: clinical, endoscopic and histologic results].

Histological investigation leads to significantly more reliable evaluation of the B-2 stump than do clinical or endoscopic examinations. This is the result of our study, in which follow-up examinations in 58 patients were undertaken 25 to 30 years after B-2 resection for benign ulcer. Of these 58 patients 23 were examined endoscopically and histologically (22 patients). The histological results of interest are: early cancer, dysplasia and intestinal metaplasia. - Carcinoma of the gastric stump occurs only occasionally earlier than 15 years after resection. In order to detect more early cancers, we therefore suggest that a routine endoscopy and histological evaluation of the gastric mucosa should be undertaken 15 years after gastric resection for benign ulcer. Further follow-ups depend on the result of this "staging" of the gastric mucosa.