Billroth II

Billroth II is a type of gastrectomy, or surgical removal of the stomach, that was first described by the Austrian surgeon Theodor Billroth in 1885. It is also known as a "gastrojejunostomy", as it involves the creation of an anastomosis between the remaining portion of the stomach and the jejunum, a part of the small intestine.

Procedure[edit | edit source]

In a Billroth II procedure, the lower two-thirds of the stomach is removed, and the remaining upper portion is connected to the jejunum. This bypasses the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine, and the pylorus, the outlet of the stomach. The procedure is typically performed to treat stomach cancer or peptic ulcer disease.

The Billroth II procedure alters the normal process of digestion, as food no longer passes through the duodenum. This can lead to a number of potential complications, including dumping syndrome, malabsorption of nutrients, and bile reflux.

History[edit | edit source]

The Billroth II procedure was first performed by Theodor Billroth in 1885, following his earlier development of the Billroth I procedure in 1881. Billroth's pioneering work in gastric surgery laid the foundation for modern gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery.