What surgical approach is preferred for a thickened or ulcerated gastric lesion?

The preferred surgical approach for a thickened or ulcerated gastric lesion is gastrectomy. This procedure involves the partial or total removal of the stomach and is indicated in cases of gastric cancer, severe peptic ulcers, or other significant gastric pathology that presents as thickening or ulceration of the gastric wall.

Gastrectomy allows for both diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic intervention, enabling the surgeon to remove the lesion and any surrounding tissue that may be involved while minimizing the risk of leaving residual cancerous tissue. By excising the affected area, gastrectomy also addresses complications that arise from gastric lesions, such as obstruction or bleeding.

Alternative procedures, such as colostomy, appendectomy, or duodenectomy, do not appropriately address gastric lesions. Colostomy pertains to the colon and is used primarily in the management of colonic diseases. Appendectomy is the surgical removal of the appendix and is irrelevant in gastric conditions. Duodenectomy, which involves removal of the duodenum, does not directly target the gastric lesion and is reserved for specific duodenal pathologies. Hence, none of these alternatives provide the necessary treatment for a thickened or ulcerated gastric lesion compared to gastrectomy.