Effect of total gastrectomy and distal subtotal gastrectomy on vitamin B12 level and anemia in gastric cancer patients

Objective To investigate the effects of total gastrectomy and distal subtotal gastrectomy on Hb, MCV and serum vitamin B12 level of gastric cancer patients. Methods From January 2011 to January 2014, a total of 60 patients with TG and 45 patient of DG were enrolled. Analyzed Hb, MCV and serum vitamin B12 between the TG group and DG group. Results The Hb of TG group 6 months, 12 months, 24 months after operaton were(106.76±11.82), (102.81±12.54) and (99.06±13.80)g/L] which were lower than DG group [(118.06±9.74), (113.67±15.58) and (109.81±12.49)g/L)]. The differences were statistically significant (t=-35.358, P=0.009; t=-15.136, P=0.021; t=-22.722, P=0.014). The values of MCV of TG group 6 months, 12 months, 24 months after operation were[(93.76±8.74), (96.32±9.26), (98.45±6.79)fl], which were higher than DG group, [(90.02±5.85), (91.66±9.02) and (93.55±9.91)fl]. The differences were statistically significant (t=53.045, P=0.006; t=8.337, P=0.038; t=15.895, P=0.020). The levels of vitamin B12 of group TG 6 months, 12 months, 24 months after operation were[(299.74±94.32), (242.17±80.49), and (197.17±75.25)pg/ml], which were lower than group DG [(452.63±56.86), (380.41±98.56), (278.62±86.90)pg/ml)]. The differences were statistically significant (t=-7.535, P=0.042; t=-45.466, P=0.007; t=-79.573, P=0.004). Conclusions Patients with gastric cancer who underwent TG are more likely to occur vitamin B12 deficiency and anemia than DG. Key words: Total gastrectomy; Distal subtotal gastrectomy; Hemoglobin; Mean cell volume; Vitamin B12