The Role of Ultrasound Examination in Diagnosis and Treatment of Intraabdominal Abscesses, Haematomas and Seromas in Immediate Postoperative Period in the Patients with Gastric Adenocarcinoma
Background. Carcinoma of the stomach is one of the leading causes of cancer mortality worldwide. Gastrectomy and extended lymphadenectomy is the treatment of choice for gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of ultrasound examination in the follow-up of patients with the postoperative complications after total or subtotal gastrectomy with D2 or D3 lymphadenectomy. Material and methods. 221 patients with clinical suspicion about surgery complication were assessed. All patients underwent abdominal ultrasound examination and 64 patients underwent CT. Loculated fluid collection were detected in 20 patients: abscesses - 9, haematoma - 10, seroma- 1. Results. No difference was observed regarding complications related to the extent of the gastrectomy. In this article we review technical considerations in ultrasound used to assess patients who have undergone gastrectomy, discuss and illustrate ultrasound imaging of postoperative loculated fluid collections. We found that the effectiveness of CT in evaluating postoperative complications prior to ultrasound examination. Ultrasound examination is useful for screening patients after gastric surgery, guidance during intervention for treatment of these postsurgical complications.