Question:
How does a transected stomach stay in place?

What keeps the larger section of a transected stomach in place, or does it gradually fall?    — dgdover (posted on May 7, 2001)

May 7, 2001
I had the same question. (I was concerned that gravity would lead to my stomach getting all bunched up down at the bottom of my abdonimal cavity) Doc said the stomach will be held right in place by blood vessels and other structures attached to it.
   — Rachael L.

May 7, 2001
My situation is a little different because I had stomach polyps prior to surgery. They told me they attached my "old" stomach to my abdominal lining and put a "marker" so it could be easily found. In case there is ever a need to go into the old stomach, it can be done via a scope. Now, they told me this on the operating table just prior to surgery so I haven't had a chance to ask questions yet. I have a bunch. I assume they mean go into the old stomach via lap since it still isn't open I assume then can't go via endoscope, but I will find out when I got get my staples out this week.
   — Anika R.

May 7, 2001
I'm not medical, but I did observe a couple of surgeries. So, from my amateur point of view, somehow I thought the organs were tacked up there in mid-air, hanging there with space in between. In real life, everything is like a bowl of noodles. They have their place, there is a layer of membrane that works like putting together a fancy salad and covering it tightly with form-fitting clear wrap. It can jiggle, but things do not get up and move about. So, if you make up a FULL bowl of noddles, seal it tightly with wrap, then tilt it around, you can KINDA get the idea of how the organs stay where they belong. And the body has taken care of the slippage thing with the same fiber that is like what holds chicken skin to the meat. You know that annoying stuff you have to cut away if you are taking the skin off yourself? Same idea. Nasty on chickens, well placed on guts, you know? So, there's your visual to go with the intelligent answers below.
   — vitalady