Soviet Medical Encyclopedia

Gastroplication

By V. Vraits · Surgery, Internal Medicine

Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.

Summary

Gastroplication is a surgical procedure that involves folding the stomach wall to reduce its volume, primarily used for treating enlarged and atonic stomachs and gastroparesis. The technique was first proposed by Bircher in 1891 and has been modified by various surgeons, though it is not considered an optimal method with broad indications.

Encyclopedia article (1928–1936)

GASTROPLICATION (from Greek gaster- stomach and Latin plica- fold), first proposed by Bircher in 1891, is an operation consisting of the fact that by means of adjacent sutures, the anterior wall of the stomach is sewn into a fold to such an extent that it almost completely disappears, and the greater curvature approaches the lesser one (see figures 1-3). The method was proposed with the aim of reducing the volume of an enlarged and atonic stomach. G. found wider application in various modifications for gastoptosis, where it is often combined with gastroenterostomy. Among individual cases of its application, several can be mentioned. Since in gastropexy according to Rovsing the posterior wall of the stomach remains without support and bulges out, Bircher recommends sewing it in the longitudinal direction. Polenov sews the anterior wall of the antrum pylori into transverse, diverging from the pylorus folds and usually combines G. with gastroenterostomy or with gastropexy. Marchesini sews both the posterior and anterior walls of the stomach into transverse folds, adding to this a posterior gastroenterostomy. Pust sews the anterior wall longitudinally, having previously greased it in the shape of a semicircle with iodine. Although Pust indicates that such G. reduces the volume of the stomach, gives strength to its walls and improves its motor function, nevertheless it must be admitted that G. should not be considered a rational method and therefore cannot have broad indications.

Gastroplication: figure 1 from the 1928–1936 encyclopedia article

Figure 4. Gastropexy according to Hammesfahr: 1- strips from the greater omentum; 2- suture of the omentum; a?-round ligament.

as in gastropexy according to Rovsing (Rov-sing) the posterior wall of the stomach remains without

Gastroplication: figure 2 from the 1928–1936 encyclopedia article
Gastroplication: figure 3 from the 1928–1936 encyclopedia article

Figure 1.

Gastroplication: figure 4 from the 1928–1936 encyclopedia article

Figure 3.

Figures 1-3. Gastroplication according to Bircher. Figure 1. Point a is sutured with a1, b - with b1, the anterior wall of the stomach is folded along the dotted line. Figure 2. The anterior wall of the stomach is folded into a fold, the greater omentum is pulled upward. Figure 2. Sagittal section view; formation of a fold (from Bier-Braun-Kümmell).

Cite this page

“Gastroplication.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/gastroplication/