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Aim: The long-term effects of gastrectomy and various reconstructions of the gastrointestinal tract on fasting plasma levels of gastrointestinal hormones known to contribute to the control of gastrointestinal motor function were evaluated in pigs., Materials and Methods: Domestic pigs were randomly selected to sham surgery or total gastrectomy (TG) followed by reconstruction with oesophago-jejunostomy on a Roux-en-Y loop (OJRY), jejunal interposition between the oesophagus and the duodenum (OJD), or an oesophagojejunostomy with a proximal jejunal pouch reservoir (J-pouch) on a Roux-en-Y loop. Blood was collected just before surgery and ten weeks later and peptide levels were analysed by radioimmunoassay., Results: Somatostatin levels were sustained at a high level after TG, regardless of the mode of reconstruction, but were significantly lower in sham-operated animals. Levels of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), neurotensin and motilin were unchanged., Conclusion: TG by itself leads to high levels of somatostatin long term, however, somatostatin, motilin, neurotensin and VIP are unaffected by the mode of reconstruction.

Aim: The long-term effects of reconstructions of the gastrointestinal tract after gastrectomy on plasma levels of gastrointestinal hormones that contribute to food intake controls were evaluated., Materials and Methods: Domestic pigs were randomly assigned to sham-surgery or total gastrectomy followed by reconstruction with oesophagojejunostomy on a Roux-en-Y loop (OJRY), jejunal interposition between the oesophagus and the duodenum (OJD), or an oesophagojejunostomy with a jejunal pouch reservoir (J-pouch) on a Roux-en-Y loop. Plasma levels of peptides were analysed by radioimmunoassay (RIA)., Results: Ten weeks after surgery, levels of cholecystokinin (CCK) and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) were significantly lowered (79.6% and 67.0%, respectively) in animals with a J-pouch, but not in sham-operated animals or animals with OJRY or OJD, as compared to preoperative levels. The levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and peptide YY (PYY) remained unchanged, irrespective of the mode of reconstruction., Conclusion: J-pouch, but not preservation of duodenal passage after total gastrectomy, lowers levels of CCK and PP, peptides that reduce food intake.

Anemia is common in patients following gastrectomy. The purpose of this study was to document causes of anemias developing during the post-gastrectomy period and to determine the importance of complete blood count parameters on types of anemia. A total of 72 patients (23 women and 49 men) who had previously undergone gastrectomy in the past and who were admitted for the evaluation of anemia were enrolled in study. The patients who were evaluated and treated for anemia in the post-gastrectomy period were excluded. Iron deficiency anemia was present in 68 (94.4%) of 72 gastrectomized patients with anemia. Deficiencies of vitamin B12 and folate were present in 57 (79.2%) and in three patients, respectively. The most common cause of anemia was the combination of iron and vitamin B12 deficiencies. Iron deficiency was present in the majority of patients, followed by vitamin B12 deficiency in frequency. In all combinations of iron deficiency, the values of mean cell hemoglobin and mean cell hemoglobin concentration were either normal or low. In cases who had low white blood cell and platelet counts vitamin B12 deficiency was frequent, while in cases who had high numbers of white cells or platelets iron deficiency was more frequent. In conclusion, gastrectomized patients should be followed for anemia and treated appropriately based on the cause of anemia.

Background: We previously reported that the administration of 1alpha hydroxy vitamin D3 was effective for treating post-gastrectomy bone disorders. Accordingly, we performed the present study to obtain evidence supporting the effectiveness of 1alpha hydroxy vitamin D3 in post-gastrectomy patients., Methods: The study involved 22 outpatients who had undergone gastrectomy for gastric cancer and had not been treated with 1alpha hydroxy vitamin D3 or calcium. They comprised 17 men and 5 women, with a mean age of 61.9 years. Laboratory tests were performed to examine the following parameters: 1,25(OH)(2) vitamin D3; 25(OH) vitamin D3; 24,25(OH)(2) vitamin D3; ionized calcium; calcium; phosphorus; alkaline phosphatase; N-parathyroid hormone; and osteocalcin., Results: The level of 1,25(OH)(2) vitamin D3, the most active of the vitamin D metabolites, was found to be normal in all of the patients. In contrast, the level of 25(OH) vitamin D3, which shows weak activity, was below the normal range in 7 of the 22 patients (31.8%). The mean serum level of 25(OH) vitamin D3 was significantly lower in patients at 1 year or more postoperatively than the level in those at less than 1 year postoperatively (P = 0.041), as well as being significantly lower in patients who had received total gastrectomy than in patients who underwent other gastrectomy procedures. The level of 24,25(OH)(2) vitamin D3, a metabolite of 25(OH) vitamin D3 that shows weak activity, was below the normal range in 19 of the 22 patients (86.4%). On multivariate analyses, factors associated with the change in vitamin D metabolites did not remain., Conclusion: The patients showed a decrease of 25(OH) vitamin D3 and 24,25(OH)(2) vitamin D3, which are metabolites that show weak activity. This suggests that a homeostatic response maintains the normal level of 1,25(OH)(2) vitamin D3, which is important for calcium regulation. Thus, it was suggested that gastrectomy had a moderate influence on the metabolism of vitamin D. However we could not detect any factor associated with the decrease of 25(OH) vitamin D3 and 24,25(OH)(2) vitamin D3.

Background: In animal studies, copper absorption has been demonstrated to occur in the proximal gut via duodenal enterocytes. Acquired copper deficiency is known as "swayback" in ruminant animals and Menkes' disease in humans. Copper is an essential micronutrient necessary for the hematologic and neurologic systems. Acquired copper deficiency in humans has been described, causing a syndrome similar to the subacute combined degeneration of vitamin B(12) deficiency., Methods: This is a single case report. Our patient developed a neurologic constellation of ataxia, myelopathy, and peripheral neuropathy similar to vitamin B(12) deficiency many years after gastrectomy for severe peptic ulcer disease. The patient was maintained for decades with enteral feedings via jejunostomy that provided the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for copper., Results: Copper deficiency was suspected, identified, and treated. Over 3 months of follow-up, serum copper levels increased from 4 microg/dL to 20 microg/dL (70-150 microg/dL), and ceruloplasmin increased from 6 mg/dL to 8 mg/dL (14-58 mg/dL). During this short time of follow-up, the patient has had no further progression of his neurologic symptoms., Conclusions: Ataxia and myelopathy secondary to acquired copper deficiency are rare complications of major gastric resection. This is quite similar to the syndrome of vitamin B(12) deficiency. Vitamin B(12) repletion does not improve symptoms. Bariatric procedures such as gastric bypass surgery result in a similar functional anatomy of the proximal gut and may place more patients at increased risk. Early recognition and therapy with oral or parenteral copper may lead to a decrease in both neurologic and hematologic consequences.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate long-term quality of life and adaptive changes in the mucosa of the proximal section of the small intestine used for esophagojejunostomy reconstruction in stomach cancer patients after total gastrectomy., Material and Methods: Thirty-one patients who had undergone stomach cancer-related total gastrectomy were included in the study, which spanned a period of 48 to 127 months (79.6 months on the average) after the surgery. The analysis included: a) evaluation of selected biochemical parameters; b) microbiological evaluation of esophagojejunostomic area; c) evaluation of adaptive changes in esophagojejunostomic mucosa using light and electron microscopy; d) quality of life evaluation with a Troidl questionnaire., Results: Quality of life was subjectively rated as good or very good by almost all subjects. The analyzed biochemical parameters were within the range of normal values in all the subjects with the exception of mild abnormalities in alkaline phosphatase and vitamin B12 levels in some patients. Microbiological examination of mucosal specimens from below the esophagojejunostomy revealed significant bacterial flora overgrowth in all the patients, with streptococci being the most abundant species. Light and electron microscopy examination of the epithelium confirmed it was normal and characteristic of a healthy small intestine., Conclusions: Long-term quality of life in patients after complete stomach resection is considered good or very good, irrespective of the reconstruction method used, and the esophagojejunostomic mucosa of the reconstructed area is normal and typical for a healthy small intestine.

Objective: To estimate the impact of autologous transfusion on the status of perioperative immune activation in malignant tumor patients. The Serum Neopterin and Interleukin-2 (IL-2) were measured., Methods: Sixty patients undergoing elective radical resection for malignant stomach tumor were enrolled in the prospective study and assigned to the following groups: (1) Group A received autologous transfusion. (2) Group H received allogeneic transfusion. The perioperative course (Before induction of anesthesia, after operation and 5 d after operation) of Neopterin and IL-2 was compared., Results: In group A, Serum Neopterin was significantly lower than baseline after operation and IL-2 had no significant changes. In group H, both Serum Neopterin and IL-2 were significantly lower than baseline after operation and 5 d after operation. Compared with group A, Serum Neopterin was significantly lower than baseline after operation and 5 d after operation and IL-2 was significantly lower than baseline 5 d after operation., Conclusion: Autologous transfusion decreased the perioperative immune suppression in malignant stomach tumor patients.

The totally gastrectomized (TGX) rat is a new experimental model for studying the pathogenesis of cobalamin (Cbl)-deficient myelopathy, i.e., subacute combined degeneration, total gastrectomy (TG) serving as a surgical paradigm of human pernicious anemia. We determined the serum levels of some biochemical indicators of Cbl deficiency in TGX rats at 2 to 10 months after TG. Methylmalonic acid (MMA) rose within 2 months and progressively increased thereafter until the end of the investigation period. 2-Methylcitric acid (MCA) rose significantly by 6 months and showed a further increment 4 months later. Homocysteine was only clearly elevated much later than the serum MMA, i.e., 10 months after the operation. The concentrations of MMA, MCA, and cystathionine were increased in kidney, liver, and spinal cord (SC) of TGX rats at 10 months. Chronic treatment of TGX rats with Cbl greatly decreased the serum levels of all the metabolic indicators of Cbl deficiency. Chronic peroral administration of the antibiotic lincomycin to TGX rats in an attempt to suppress the enteric flora markedly decreased serum MMA levels. Only Cbl, however, given either for the first 2 months after TG or for the third and fourth postoperative months (i.e., after SC abnormalities had already appeared) significantly decreased the severity of spongy vacuolation in SC white matter, although not completely preventing or repairing the neuropathological damage. Therefore, neither the early impairment in TGX rats of the Cbl-dependent methylmalonyl-coenzyme A mutase reaction nor the more delayed impairment of the Cbl-dependent methionine synthase step, as reflected by changes in serum metabolite levels, seems to be causally related to the TG-induced spongy vacuolation in SC white matter.

We studied erythropoiesis in 31 patients with vitamin B12 deficiency by measuring serum erythropoietin (s-Epo), serum transferrin receptor (s-TfR, taken as an index of total erythroid activity), reticulocyte count, and the reticulocyte maturation index (RMI). s-Epo and s-TfR were measured with commercial immunoassays, whereas reticulocyte count and RMI were determined by flow cytometry. s-Epo (123 +/- 196 U/L) and s-TfR (4.1 +/- 2 mg/L) levels were increased in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency. The absolute reticulocyte counts were decreased (29 +/- 18 x 10(9)/L) with a relative increase in the most immature fractions (RMI: 29.6 +/- 18%). A significant negative relationship was found between s-Epo and Hb level (r = -0.65, p < 0.0001). On the average, however, s-Epo was inappropriately low for the degree of anemia, since the observed/predicted (O/P) s-Epo ratio was 0.80 +/- 0.28 in vitamin B12 deficiency vs 1.00 +/- 0.16 in a group of patients with iron deficiency anemia. It is concluded that at least a portion of patients with vitamin B12 deficiency have serum erythropoietin levels that are inappropriately low for the degree of anemia.

Bone disorders following gastrectomy were studied by measuring absolute and relative bone mineral density of the Wards triangle, serum 1,25-(OH)2-D, alkaline phosphatase, and total serum calcium. The subjects were 20 males who had undergone total gastrectomy not more than three months previously (group A1). Seventeen of these patients were reviewed three years later (group A2). Absolute and relative bone density were significantly lower in group A2 than in A1 (0.52 +/- 0.011 g/cm2 versus 0.6 +/- 0.014 g/cm2, P < 0.01 and 85.5 +/- 1.4% age-matched control versus 95 +/- 1.3%, P < 0.01). 1,25-(OH)2-D was significantly lower in group A2 than in group A1 (14.3 +/- 0.97 pg/ml versus 20.6 +/- 1.02 pg/ml, P < 0.01). There was no difference in alkaline phosphatase and calcium serum concentration. The mean weight loss was 6.26 +/- 0.57% over the follow-up period, and weight loss correlated with absolute and relative bone density (r = -0.74, P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between 1,25-(OH)2-D and absolute or relative bone density (r = 0.67, r = 0.62 and P < 0.01). These data suggest that bone density decrease has already occurred three years after total gastrectomy and is positively correlated to 1,25-(OH)2-D deficiency. As no differences in serum alkaline phosphatase and serum calcium concentration were found, these factors are of little value for the early detection of postgastrectomy bone disorders, whereas weight loss is a valuable screening parameter.

Studied after stomach resection for ulcer disease in 161 patients were lipid peroxidation (LPO), antioxidant system (AOS) and related parameters characterizing metabolism of carbon (Lactat), protein (piruvat) and fat (fat acids, lipoproteins), an indicator of the dystrophic change degree (acid phosphatase). Revealed in these patients was syndrome of peroxidation, which leads to disturbances of protein, carbon and fat metabolism, destruction of cell membranes. Increased, "normal", weakened LPO was identified in 67.7%, 9.94%, 22.36% of the patients respectively. In patients with an increased LPO statistically significant activation of AOS was established, lactate having increased more than twice, pyruvate remaining unchanged; the level of fat acids and lipoproteins almost doubled. In such a situation it is reasonable to use preparations which activate aerobic glycolysis, and antioxidants of a direct, mild degree, action. In group II patients with more prominent increase in the acid phosphatase activity preference should be given to membrane-stabilizing preparations. In patients with a decreased level of LPO considerable increase in lactate and acid phosphatase was noted. It is recommended that preparations promoting normalization of carbon and lipid metabolism, enhancement of redox processes in the respiratory chain should be included into complex therapy as should be stabilizers of membranes of cell organelles, with biogenic stimulators to follow.

In 45 patients with chronic digestive tract diseases (gastric and/or duodenal peptic ulcer, cholecystolithiasis, conditions after gastrectomy and cholecystectomy) the biochemical parameters serving as indicators of the nutritional status of the organism (Hb, Bc, Fe, Ca, alkaline phosphatase) were determined. In the group with postgastrectomy syndrome the serum calcium level was decreased. The other parameters were normal in all groups of patients.

26 years after a partial gastric resection (Billroth II) for recurrent gastric ulcer a 62-year-old man developed severe intestinal osteopathy. For three years he had increasing pain in the lower back and hip with a noticeable waddling gait. Serum concentration of calcium (2.0 mmol/l) and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 (38 mmol/l) were reduced, those of alkaline phosphatase (572 U/l) and parathormone (532 pg/ml) increased. Radiology demonstrated Looser's zones in the ribs and iliac crest. Osteodensitometry showed obviously diminished bone density. Iliac crest biopsy revealed signs of osteomalacia and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Within three months of starting oral vitamin D3 and calcium the symptoms had definitely receded and serum concentrations of calcium and alkaline phosphatase had become normal (2.4 mmol/l and 156 U/l, respectively). Osteopathic symptoms are often the expression of an abnormal calcium/phosphate metabolism. The cause often lies in the gastrointestinal tract; not rarely it is a late complication of a gastrojejunostomy.

Retained-antrum syndrome is a rare condition, occurring in Billroth II gastrectomised patients, in which an ulcer recurs associated with high levels of circulating gastrin. Some gastrin tests are useful to differentiate a retained antrum from a gastrinoma, but a firm diagnosis is sometimes very difficult. We have studied two cases of retained-antrum syndrome both by gastrin tests and by [99mTc] pertechnetate scintiphotography. By this method a prominent area of activity was observed on the anatomic site of the duodenal stump bottom. It appeared after 20 or 30 min and lasted for the 2 hr of observation. After surgical resection, no area of activity was observed at the scintiphotographic followup. No false positive was observed out of the more than 30 subjects studied. Scintiphotography by pertechnetate seems able to demonstrate the presence and the size of retained gastric antrum in B II gastrectomised patients with recurrent ulcer.

The development of the radioimmunoassay for gastrin has resulted in significant increases in our knowledge of the physiology of the stomach and antrum, and in an objective recognition of the interaction of the gastrin and vagus mechanisms. Recent identification of multiple species of gastrin in the circulation, however, raises questions as to the significance of early experimental results. Until the various aspects of gastrin and their relative contributions in the normal state and in pathologic processes are identified, the significance of gastrin levels in the evaluation of patients with uncomplicated ulcer disease is unclear. Although many investigators have attempted to correlate changes in serum gastrin levels in response to various stimuli with the completeness of vagotomy or the likelihood of recurrence, it is too early to give any clinical significance to these reports. Several points in particular seem worthy of emphasis: 1. Preoperative serum gastrin levels are currently of no value in selecting an operation for the treatment of duodenal ulcer disease. 2. The difference in serum gastrin levels in response to feeding that may be shown to exist between groups of normal subjects and duodenal ulcer patients is not a value in diagnosing ulcer disease in a specific patient, nor in differentiating duodenal ulcer from other conditions. 3. The measurement of serum gastrin levels in association with Hollander tests, while perhaps of potential future benefit, does not improve the accuracy of the Hollander test nor do results necessarily relate to vagal innervation. 4. Postoperative serum gastrin levels are increased after vagotomy. The degree of hypergastrinemia after vagotomy does not correlate with risk of ulcer recurrence. 5. Hypergastrinemia (greater than 1000 pg. per ml.) in the presence of hyperacidity is essentially pathognomonic of the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Calcium and secretin infusions do not add to the diagnosis if clear-cut clinical and laboratory data are present. These differential tests are of value in identifying the Zollinger-Ellison patient who has borderline serum gastrin levels and in differentiation from the syndrome of the retained antrum. 6. In a patient with a recurrent ulcer following surgery in whom a drug-induced ulcer can be excluded and gastric outlet obstruction cannot be demonstrated, a serum gastrin level may be indicated. A serum gastrin value greater than 300 pg. per ml. (normal less than 200 pg. per ml.) in a fasting morning serum sample is significantly elevated, even after vagotomy, and warrants further investigation. Provocative testing of the gastrin response to calcium and secretin should elucidate the etiology of the recurrent ulceration in this type of patient.

A total of 37 patients who had undergone partial gastrectomy for duodenal or gastric ulcers, were investigated. The postoperative periods ranged from 5 to 28 years. All the patients were subjected to comprehensive clinical and neurologic examinations. The content of vitamin B12 and folic acid in the blood serum was studied by radioimmunoassay in 29 gastrectomized patients, hematological parameters (hemoglobin, serum iron, red blood cell morphology, proteinogram) were estimated in 19 patients. The mean content of vitamin B12 in the blood serum of patients was lower than in normal subjects. The mean level of folic acid in the blood of patients was also lower than in the control, however, this difference was insignificant. Nine patients had subnormal content of vitamin B12, eight of them showed manifest neurologic complications, such as myelopathy and polyneuropathy. Only 3 patients had subnormal content of folic acid in the blood serum. Weakly pronounced anemic syndrome was detected only in 2 out of 19 patients. The role of vitamin B12 deficiency in the development of neurologic symptoms has been considered.

37 patients with partial stomach resection because of peptic ulcer, performed 5 to 28 years before, were studied. In 29 patients the serum vitamin B12 and folic acid levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. In 19 patients several hematologic indices--hemoglobin, serum iron, erythrocyte morphology, proteinogram--were determined, too. The mean serum vit. B12 level was significantly lower than that of the control group of healthy persons. In 1/3 of these patients the low serum vit. B12 level was accompanied by manifested neurologic complications-myelopathy and polyneuropathy. The mean folic acid level was also low but statistically insignificantly and in patients the value was subnormal. In half of the patients a low degree hypochromic anemia was found. The role of vit. B12 deficiency in the pathogenesis of the neurologic manifestations is discussed and the determination of vit. B12 and folic acid levels is recommended in patients who had undergone gastric resection, especially after 5 years following the resection.

We determined the effect of postgastrectomy gastritis on serum pepsinogen I and pepsinogen II concentrations in 108 subjects with subtotal gastric resection. Eleven had normal remnant mucosa, 22 had superficial gastritis, and 75 had atrophic gastritis. In the subjects with superficial gastritis, serum pepsinogen I and II concentrations were significantly higher than in those with normal remnant mucosa, but the ratio of pepsinogen I to II did not differ from normal. In atrophic gastritis, serum pepsinogen I concentrations fell with increasing severity of mucosal damage, but pepsinogen II was persistently raised. Consequently, the ratio of pepsinogen I to II in subjects with atrophic gastritis was significantly lower than in those with superficial gastritis or normal remnant mucosa. Discriminant function analysis revealed that the ratio of pepsinogen I to II, in combination with the absolute level of pepsinogen II, had a sensitivity of 80%, a specificity of 73%, and a positive predictive value of 87% for atrophic gastritis in this population. We propose that the parallel increase in serum pepsinogen I and II concentrations in postgastrectomy superficial gastritis is because of an increased rate of endocrine release of both zymogens from the fundic glands, and that the dichotomy in pepsinogen I and II concentrations in postgastrectomy atrophic gastritis results from the loss of fundic glands, which produce both zymogens, and the appearance of metaplastic pyloric glands, which produce only pepsinogen II.

Emptying of the gastric substitute and small bowel transit time of a 99mTc-labeled solid test meal were measured in 20 tumor-free patients 13 to 63 (median, 35) months after total gastrectomy with Roux-y (n = 11) and jejunal interposition (n = 9) reconstruction. The emptying half-times ranged from 2 minutes to greater than 20 minutes. Rapid emptying was associated with dumping symptoms (p less than 0.03) and shorter orocoecal transit-time (p less than 0.05). Serum glucose concentrations rose more quickly in jejunal interposition, but the areas under the curve were identical in both groups. The median insulin-to-glucose ratio (areas under the curve) during the 20 minutes after the meal was 11.4 in jejunal interposition and 7.1 in Roux-y esophagojejunostomy (NS). Interposition cases had regained a significantly higher percentage (89%) of their premorbid weight than patients with Roux-y (78%; p less than 0.05). The weight/height2 ratio was above the 50th centile in 45% of interpositions, but below the 50th centile in all patients after the Roux-y mode of reconstruction (p less than 0.05). It is concluded that the emptying velocity of the gastric substitute has no impact on postoperative weight gain. The authors contend that the concept of a gastric substitute pouch is not supported by the findings of this study.

Postoperative complications in patients, aged over 55 years, with gastric cancer subjected to radical operations were analysed. The number of postoperative complications and mortality are increased with age. The main cause of the postoperative mortality is peritonitis, the second place is occupied by pneumonia, the third--by thrombectomy and acute cardiovascular insufficiency. Aged patients have tolerated gastrectomy and proximal resections but poorly.

By means of a test set of the Isocommerz (GDR) determinations of vitamin B12 in the serum were carried out according to the principle of the competitive protein binding. The normal values lie between 200 and 1,000 pg/ml serum. Clearly decreased levels of vitamin B12 are found in the pernicious anaemia, in other megaloblastic anaemias and in disturbances of the resorption after resection of the stomach. Increased values can be stated in the untreated chronic myelosis and in the blast episode. Under Busulphan-therapy a significant decrease of the values of vitamin B12 develops. The method seems to be practically important for the well-timed recognition of deficiency conditions of vitamin B12 in beginning pernicious anaemia, in disturbances of intestinal resorption after resection of the stomach and for the observation of the course of the chronic myelosis.

Twenty-one patients (4 females and 17 males) were re-examined 20 years after partial gastrectomy for benign peptic ulcer. Different stages of morphological change in the gastric stump mucosa were compared with haematological parameters as well as with gastric acid and IF secretions. Biopsy specimens were taken by the direct vision technique. Haematological values including also serum vitamin B12, folate and Schilling test were determined. Gastric acid and IF secretions were lower in all patients with "selective parietal cell atrophy" in the gastric mucosa compared with those of other patients. Serum B12 and Schilling test values showed the same tendency. The present study indicates that it is possible to determine the gastric function dependent on parietal cells according to morphological criteria.

A follow-up of 9 patients was performed 5-11 years subsequent to total gastrectomy. Biochemical findings were normal. Compared to a normal control group vitamin A absorption indicative of fat assimilation was unaltered. Subjects regained preoperative weight and presented no signs of malnutrition. Eight patients suffered seriously from reflux. Five patients showed dumping symptoms. Endoscopic specimens from jejunal mucosa were found to be normal. It seems that postoperative complaints described above may be prevented by reasonable operative measures.

Of 40 patients with a partial gastrectomy (Billroth-II) 10 developed a milk intolerance and 11 had a lactase deficiency, the latter in 4 cases appearing together with a decrease in other disaccharidases. Only 2 of the 11 lactase-deficient patients complained of milk intolerance. The Ethanol lactose tolerance test (ELTT) was performed in 21 patients and was found to be abnormal in 6. Whereas cases of abnormal ELTT usually (4 of 6 cases) showed a lactase deficiency, only 2 patients with milk intolerance showed an abnormal ELTT and lactase deficiency. Milk intolerance can therefore only exceptionally be explained by lactase deficiency, and lack of lactase in the upper jejunum usually does not produce intolerance symptoms. Moreover, in comparable determinations from the afferent and efferent jejunal loop no differences in enzyme activities could be observed.

A pathophysiological role of gastrin has been established only in the Zollinger-Ellison-Syndrome. Hypergastrinemia may be found in cases with prenicious anemia, atrophic gastritis and after all forms of vagotomy; furthermore in the excluded antrum syndrome, the short bowel syndrome, in renal insufficiency, pyloric stenoses and after oral or parenteral administration of calcium. The role of gastrin in the pathogenesis of duodenal ulcer is unknown.

Thirty-eight patients with vitamin B12 deficiency after gastric surgery for a benign peptic ulcer were examined electrophysiologically. Thirteen (34 per cent) had electromyographical signs of peripheral nerve involvement and the amplitude of the sensory potentials of the median nerve at wrist (16 patients) was diminished, whereas sensory and motor conduction velocities were normal. Six patients had clinical signs of polyneuropathy. The electrophysiological findings are compatible with slight loss of myelinated nerve fibres. None of the patients had clinical or electromyographical signs of myopathy.