Reduced thiamine (vitamin B1) levels following gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND

Vitamin B1 deficiency is well known as a possible complication following gastric restrictive surgery for morbid obesity; however, reduced vitamin B1 levels in patients who have undergone gastrectomy for gastric cancer have not been discussed previously.

METHODS

Serum vitamin B1 levels were determined after the return to normal daily activity in 54 patients with distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer, 32 patients with total gastrectomy for gastric cancer, and 30 patients with radical surgery for colorectal cancer. Changes from serum vitamin B1 levels before operation to those after return to normal daily activity, without nutritional support, were investigated in 25 patients with gastrectomy for gastric cancer and 26 patients with radical surgery for colorectal cancer.

RESULTS

Decreased serum vitamin B1 levels, below the normal range, were recognized in 7 of the 54 distally gastrectomized patients and in 5 of the 32 totally gastrectomized patients, whereas no such decrease was recognized in any patient after colorectal surgery. Decreased serum vitamin B1 level was recognized within 6 months after the operation in 6 of the 7 distally gastrectomized patients showing a decreased vitamin B1 level and in 3 of the 5 totally gastrectomized patients showing a decreased vitamin B1 level. Postoperative serum vitamin B1 levels were significantly lower than those before operation in patients with gastrectomies, whereas there was no significant difference in serum vitamin B1 levels before and after the surgeries in patients with surgery for colorectal cancer.

CONCLUSION

Vitamin B1 levels may be reduced in gastrectomized patients, especially within 6 months after operation, even after their return to normal daily activity without nutritional support.