The site and extent of resection varies by surgical approach: total gastrectomy, in which the entire stomach is removed; partial resection, which includes distal and proximal major gastrectomy, as the name implies, removes most of the stomach near the gastric outlet and entrance, respectively, as well as some surrounding lymph nodes, etc. Because of the different sites of resection, there are differences in the way the GI tract is reconstructed, that is, different parts of the GI tract will be anastomosed.
Common complications also differ between surgical approaches: late dumping syndrome is a major complication after total gastrectomy, often occurring several hours after eating and manifesting as weakness, dizziness, and cold sweats; anastomotic stricture (epigastric distention, burping, and vomiting after eating) and intestinal obstruction (abdominal pain, abdominal distention, vomiting, and After proximal gastrectomy, reflux esophagitis may occur, manifesting as pain behind the chest and difficulty in swallowing.
As for the effect on gastric function, the study did not show any difference except that patients after total gastrectomy were more likely to have vitamin B12 deficiency.