What is an anastomotic ulcer?

Generally, an anastomotic ulcer refers to the development of an ulcer at or near the surgical anastomosis site following gastrointestinal surgery. If there is any doubt, timely medical consultation with a physician is recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:

An anastomotic ulcer refers to the occurrence of ulcers at the anastomotic site and surrounding tissues after surgeries involving the stomach, duodenum, or other related organs. It may be associated with factors such as excessive postoperative gastric acid secretion, improper diet, long-term smoking, and poor local blood circulation after surgery. Patients may experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, a burning sensation in the upper abdomen, and in severe cases, symptoms such as black stools or bleeding may occur.

Postoperative diagnosis of anastomotic ulcers can be confirmed through methods such as gastroscopy or barium meal X-ray examination. Once diagnosed, it is recommended to follow medical advice and promptly use medications such as omeprazole enteric-coated capsules, tetracycline tablets, and metronidazole tablets for treatment. For patients who do not respond well to drug therapy, timely surgical intervention according to the physician's recommendation may be necessary, such as partial resection of the residual stomach, vagotomy, or removal of residual gastric antrum.

It should be noted that timely treatment of anastomotic ulcers after surgery is beneficial for recovery, whereas neglecting the condition may lead to complications. Therefore, regular postoperative follow-up is recommended to allow timely adjustment of the treatment plan based on the patient's recovery status.