Vitamin B12 deficiency after partial gastrectomy.

In a prospective study vitamin B12 concentration was assayed in 22 patients before and 6.4 years after partial gastrectomy. S-B12 had decreased from 496 to 274 pg/ml, p less than 0.001. Four patients had pathological values and two were already on B12 substitution because of deficiency. No difference in B12 concentration was found between patients with gastric or duodenal ulcers or between Billroth I and II operations. Other hematological tests were normal, and the nutritional status of the patients was satisfactory. It is concluded that regular postoperative controls of S-B12 or prophylactic B12 therapy is indicated in these patients.