Bone Abnormalities After Gastric Surgery

Abstract

Thirty-six patients who had undergone gastric surgery 3 to 9 years before this study were subjected to an iliac crest biopsy. Quantitative analysis of undecalcified sections showed abnormal findings in 16 patients. Fifteen had an abnormally large amount of osteoid, six had a reduction in total bone, and five had a combination of the two abnormalities. Mild osteomalacia after gastrectomy appears to be more prevalent than previously suspected. Significant histological changes may occur in the absence of clinical, radiological, or biochemical abnormalities.