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Background: The usefulness of high-resolution impedance manometry (HRIM) in patients who underwent total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y (R-Y) anastomosis has never been well validated. This study aimed to investigate whether intraesophageal pressure affects quality of life in patients who underwent total gastrectomy with R-Y anastomosis., Methods: The participants comprised 12 patients who underwent total gastrectomy for gastric cancer between October 2014 and July 2022 and underwent a postsurgical HRIM examination. The association between the HRIM data and Postgastrectomy Syndrome Assessment Scale-37 (PGSAS-37) questionnaires was analyzed., Results: Esophageal body motility was normal in almost all patients. The anastomosis shape (circular stapler and overlap method with linear stapler) did not influence intraesophageal pressure. The integrated relaxation pressure and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) residual pressure during swallowing-induced relaxation were involved in "diarrhea subscale" scores (p = 0.0244 and p = 0.0244, respectively). The average maximum intrabolus pressure was not involved in postgastrectomy symptom. The contractile front velocity correlated with the "indigestion subscale," "diarrhea subscale," and "constipation subscale" (p = 0.0408, p = 0.0143, and p = 0.0060, respectively). The distal latency, i.e., the time from upper esophageal sphincter relaxation to contractile deceleration, was also associated with the "abdominal pain subscale" (p = 0.0399). LES pressure and esophageal body motility affected patients' quality of life after total gastrectomy., Conclusions: HRIM for the evaluation of intraesophageal pressure is useful for the functional assessment of esophagojejunostomy with the R-Y reconstruction after total gastrectomy., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is an effective treatment modality for obesity. Commonest delayed complication post LSG is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GER). The prevalence of GER among obese patients is higher than normal individuals. Such patients need long term Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) or antireflux procedures to manage reflux. Antireflux mucosectomy (ARMS) uses techniques of endoscopic mucosal resection to treat reflux for PPI refractory GER. However, it can be technically challenging to perform ARMS with a restricted stomach in patients who have undergone LSG. A 40-year-old female, hypertensive who had previously undergone LSG was treated for GER by a multidimensional approach with ARMS utilizing hypotensive anesthesia. The patient underwent the procedure successfully without any complication. She was discharged and at follow up visit, her reflux symptoms had improved and endoscopy was unremarkable. We describe this unusual case which was treated effectively with ARMS.

Postgastrectomy syndromes result from altered form and function of the stomach. Gastrectomy disrupts reservoir capacity, mechanical digestion and gastric emptying. Early recognition of symptoms with prompt evaluation and treatment is essential. Many syndromes resolve with minimal intervention or dietary modifications. Re-operation is not common but often warranted for afferent and efferent loop syndromes and bile reflux gastritis. Preoperative nutritional assessment and treatment of common vitamin and mineral deficiencies after gastrectomy can reduce the incidence of chronic complications. An integrated team approach to risk assessment, patient education, and postoperative management is critical to optimal care of patients with gastric cancer., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Postgastrectomy syndrome (PGS) remains a common complication after gastrectomy that affects patients' quality of life. Although impaired gastrointestinal (GI) function by gastrectomy procedures is thought to be the cause, the precise pathophysiology of PGS is yet to be clarified., Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate relationships between GI function and various symptoms or alimentary status in patients after gastrectomy., Methods: Fifty-one patients who underwent total or distal gastrectomy at least 1 year previously were studied. All patients replied to a questionnaire that asked presence of symptoms (esophageal reflux, nausea, abdominal pain, early satiation, diarrhea, early dumping general, early dumping abdominal, and late dumping symptoms) and alimentary status (change in body weight, food intake per meal, frequency of meals per day). They also underwent assessment of GI function consisting of gastric emptying study by 13 C-acetate breath test to examine reservoir capacity and gastric emptying, and water load drink test to evaluate tolerance to volume loading (TVL). The relationships between GI function and each symptom or alimentary status were examined., Results: The patients with nausea and early dumping general symptoms had significantly smaller reservoir capacity*, the patients with diarrhea and early dumping general symptoms had significantly faster gastric emptying*, and the patients with early satiation and early dumping abdominal symptoms had significantly impaired TVL*. Significant correlations were identified between TVL and body weight changes* or food intake per meal* (* p < 0.05)., Conclusion: Impaired postoperative GI function was closely related to symptoms or worse alimentary status.

The variety of clinical manifestations operated stomach fits in the sequence of pathological syndromes: dumping and hypoglycemic syndromes, postgastroresectional post gastrectomy anemia, afferent loop syndrome, postoperative dystrophy, reflux esophagitis, a syndrome of "small" stomach, and hypoglycemic syndrome. Aim--to elucidate the role of disorders of motor function of the gastrointestinal tract in postgastroresectional syndromes and their correction. The nutrient administration reduced a motor function level of the stomach, restore motor function of the duodenum and ascending colon intestine, normalize ino- and chronotropic relations in the smooth muscles of the sigmoid colon.

Background: Indications for gastric local resection (LR) include gastrointestinal stromal tumors, neuroendocrine tumors, and early gastric cancer. LR is expected to preserve physiological function and ameliorate postgastrectomy syndrome., Methods: Gastric emptying was assessed by the (13)C-acetate breath test in 20 healthy volunteers (HVs) and 60 gastrectomized patients [distal gastrectomy with Billroth I reconstruction (DGBI) in 26 patients, LR in 34 patients]. For the (13)C breath test, 100 mg of (13)C-acetate sodium salt was mixed in a test meal. Breath samples were collected before intake and during the next 3 h. We compared the gastric reservoir capacity using the gastric retention rate at 5 min (RR5) and gastric emptying by the half emptying time (T½). Patients completed a questionnaire survey about their symptoms, dietary intake, body weight, and restriction of activities of daily living [reflecting quality of life (QOL)]., Results: The RR5 values for the HV, LR, and DGBI groups were 93.7, 90.0, and 45.3* %, respectively (*compared to HV and LR, p < 0.0001). The T½ values were 23.3, 20.2, and 5.9* min, respectively. Dietary intake and body weight change were significantly more reduced in the DGBI group than the LR group (p < 0.05). Subgroup analysis indicated that the reservoir capacity in those with LR at the lesser curvature was more disturbed than that in patients with LR at the greater curvature. The questionnaire showed no differences in those patients' QOL., Conclusions: Because the reservoir capacity, the gastric emptying and QOL were maintained, LR is an option for selected patients with early gastric cancer.

Sustained remission of type 2 diabetes mellitus and significantly improved hyperlipidemia and arterial hypertension, control has been achieves in both lean and obese patient after bariatric surgery procedures or other gastrointestinal surgical procedures. It has been demonstrated that the metabolic effects of bariatric surgery in these patients derives not only in reducing weight and caloric intake, but also endocrine changes resulting from surgical manifestation gastrointestinal tract. In this article we review the clinical outcomes of such interventions (collectively called "metabolic surgery") and the perspectives on the role that these surgeries play in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

It was analyzed the examination and treatment results of 100 patients who underwent resection of stomach by Billroth-I in case of peptic ulcer. Chronic disorders of duodenal patency were diagnosed in 86% of patients. The main role of chronic disorders of duodenal patency in postgastrectomy syndromes development was proved. There were a combination of reflux gastritis with dumping syndrome in 66.3% of patients, a combination of reflux gastritis with recurrent ulcer in 8.1% of patients. Correction of chronic disorders of duodenal patency is necessary stage in conservative and surgical treatment of postgastrectomy syndromes.

In the beginning of the 21st century obesity still represents health, social and economical threat for most of economically wealthy countries worldwide. Estimated direct costs for obesity and related comorbidities treatment exceed 5% of the total health care costs both in the US and in European Union. However, in addition there are obesity-related indirect costs linked to more frequent work sickness leave, higher unemployment rates and overall lower productivity of obese patients. Surgical treatment of obesity (bariatric surgery) is the most effective long-term treatment modality for those patients suffering from higher degrees of obesity. Bariatric surgery has not only positive effects on weight loss, but is also extremely effective in improving or resolving many of obesity-related comorbidities, which have evolved rapidly into the so-called metabolic surgery. T2DM may serve as excellent example of metabolic, obesity-related comorbidity which can be treated with bariatric-metabolic procedure even without direct relation to weight loss. In such cases bariatric surgery evolves into metabolic surgery. Thus metabolic operations (namely from the malabsorptive end) deeply influence hormonal secretion especially in the proximal part of small bowel, change parametres of entero-insular axis and have positive influence on insulin secretion, sensitivity and on the entire complex of glucose tolerance. Nowadays we can witness dramatic changes in perception of T2DM from bariatric surgeons, diabetologists, and many other medical specialists. T2DM has evolved from primarily medical disease into a condition where surgeons may play a more active role in the management of the diabetic patient. However, it has to be stressed that metabolic treatment of T2DM and other metabolic disorders need multidisciplinary approach and collaboration and that surgeon should play very important role as a multidisciplinary team member, however metabolic surgery should not yet be considered as stand-alone treatment modality.

We assessed results of examination and treatment of 100 patients with ulcer disease who had undergone Bilroth-1 stomach resection. Chronic disorder of duodenal patency was revealed in 86% of the patients. This condition was shown to play the leading role in the development of post-gastric resection syndrome. Reflux-gastritis was associated with damping syndrome in 66.3% of the patients and with recurrent ulcer in 8.1%. It is concluded that conservative and surgical treatment of post-gastric resection syndrome should be aimed at correction of chronic disorders of duodenal patency.

Functional results of 289 major gastric resections and gastrectomies were analyzed. New methods of the gastrointestinal reconstruction after these procedures. The comparative analysis of immediate and long-term results allowed to work out criteria of choice for the reconstructive procedure. Benefits of the suggested reconstructive techniques demonstrated with the use of modern diagnostic means.

Background: Attention has recently focused on decreased quality of life (QOL) that occurs in postgastrectomy patients. We verified how gastric emptying function affected QOL., Methods: Subjects were 72 consecutive patients after gastrectomy for cancer, including 25 after distal gastrectomy (DG), 18 after proximal gastrectomy (PG), 16 after pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PpG), and 13 after total gastrectomy (TG). Using the (13)C breath test method, (13)CO(2) levels in breath were measured over 2 h, and T (max) was determined. Questionnaires (Japanese versions of the Short-Form 36 [SF-36] and Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale [GSRS]) were used to analyze QOL and correlations between questionnaire results and T (max)., Results: Mean T (max) (min) for each procedure was 15.4 for DG, 21.1 for PG, 41.3 for PpG, and 10.4 for TG. T (max) differed between procedures, but not between survey periods. SF-36 was not correlated with T (max), whereas GSRS showed a difference in diarrhea and total score between procedures, but not between survey periods. In addition, GSRS correlated with T (max) for abdominal pain, indigestion, and total score. The total scores showed a significant symptom aggregation in patients with T (max) less than 21 min., Conclusions: Gastrointestinal symptoms in postgastrectomy patients were associated with the function of the remaining stomach. The (13)C breath test is useful for objectively assessing such symptoms.

Gastrectomy saves the lives of many patients with gastric cancer. However, this surgical treatment is associated with clinical problems called postgastrectomy syndrome (PGS) which affect the quality of life (QOL) of such patients. For surgeons, improving the QOL after gastrectomy is an important goal after performing curative surgery. In the clinical setting, various surgical procedures such as limited resection, function-preserving procedures, and reconstruction using gastric substitutes have been advocated to reduce the severity of PGS. However, the actual conditions and pathophysiology of PGS have not been fully investigated. Various clinical studies and basic research have partially clarified the features and pathophysiology of PGS, although the strategies developed to treat PGS have been limited. The development of standardized, reliable instruments for understanding PGS and performing large-scale collaborative studies are required to improve the diagnosis and treatment of PGS. In Japan, such a project called the PGSAS has recently been completed. The results are being analyzed and will be reported in the near future.

Background: The postoperative clinical superiority of the interposition of jejunum reconstruction (INT) to Roux-en-Y reconstruction (RY) after total gastrectomy has not been clarified. Postoperative quality of life (QOL) was evaluated between the 2 methods by a multi-institutional prospective randomized trial., Methods: A total of 103 patients with gastric cancer were prospectively randomly divided into groups for RY (n = 51) or INT reconstruction (n = 52) after total gastrectomy. They were stratified by sex, age, institute, histology, and degree of lymph node dissection. Postoperatively, body mass index (BMI) and nutritional conditions were measured serially, and QOL and postoperative squalor scores were evaluated at 3, 12, and 60 months and compared between the 2 groups., Results: After removing patients who did not complete the follow-up survey or censured cases, 24 patients in the RY group and 18 patients in the INT group were clinically available and their postoperative status was assessed. QOL scores were increased and complication scores were improved in the postoperative periods (P < .01). Postoperative BMI significantly deteriorated compared with preoperative BMI in each group. The postoperative QOL and complication scores at 60 months after surgery were significantly better than those at 3 months after surgery in each group (P < .01). However, there was no significant difference of QOL scores and postoperative complication scores between the 2 reconstruction groups. The nutritional condition in the INT group was nearly the same as that in the RY group., Conclusions: Although our patient sample was small and patients who did not complete the follow-up survey were present, we could not identify any clinical difference between INT and RY after total gastrectomy 60 months after surgery. The safer and simpler RY method may be a more suitable reconstruction method than INT after total gastrectomy., (Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Aim: To specify policy of nutritive support late after radical gastric resection., Material and Methods: Patients with postgastroresectional dystrophy were examined using standard techniques and estimation of intestinal electric activity (registration of body surface biopotentials on Conan-M myngograph)., Results: Frequency-amplitude parameters of the intestine serve the basis for choice of mixtures for enteral correction. Nutritive support provided for on demand pharmaconutrients--microbiotic correctors., Conclusion: Myography gives additional information for decisions on the policy of nutritive support.

Background: Recent years have seen the preserved pyloric cuff being lengthened in pylorus-preserving gastrectomy for early gastric cancer. We performed clinical assessment of the symptoms after pylorus-preserving gastrectomy in patients treated at the National Cancer Center Hospital in Japan during the past 9 years., Methods: Four hundred and fifty-six patients who had undergone pylorus-preserving gastrectomy and been followed up for at least 3 years were studied. We classified the patients into two groups according to the length of the pyloric cuff (group A, within 3.0 cm; group B, more than 3.0 cm). Medical records were reviewed for further histological and follow-up data. A questionnaire regarding dumping syndrome and gastric stasis was also completed by the patients., Results: Our results showed no statistically significant differences in symptoms, such as dumping syndrome or emptying disturbances, between the two groups., Conclusion: Our study revealed that the differences in several functions and symptom scales were not pronounced between the two groups. Regardless of the length of the pyloric cuff, pylorus-preserving gastrectomy can be utilized for the treatment of early gastric cancer even if the tumor is located proximal to the middle body.

Background: To clarify the significance of preserving pyloric and hepatic branches of the vagal nerve (PHV) after pylorus preserving distal gastrectomy (PPG) for early gastric cancer, the author investigated the postgastrectomy syndrome and gastric emptying function at 5 years in PPG patients with or without preserving the PHV., Methods: A total of 18 subjects (mucosal cancers) who underwent PPG with D1 lymph node dissection and preserving the PHV; they comprised group A-12 men and 6 women aged 38-68 years (mean 58.9 years). They were interviewed to inquire about gastrointestinal symptom (appetite, weight loss, gastric fullness, reflux esophagitis, early dumping syndrome) and then were compared with 24 PPG patients (submucosal cancers) with D2 lymph node dissection without preserving the PHV (group B-16 men and 8 women aged 33 to 69 years, mean 60.1 years). Esophagogastric endoscopy, abdominal ultrasonography, and gastric emptying function tests (GET) were undertaken, the latter by both radioisotope (solid diet) and acetaminophen (liquid diet) methods., Results: There were no differences in the postoperative gastrointestinal symptoms, endoscopic reflux esophagitis, or endoscopic mucosal edema and redness (gastropathy) between groups A and B. However, more cholecystolithiasis (gallbladder stones) was found in group A than in group B, with the difference being significant (P < 0.0391). The GET for solid diet and liquid diet were the almost same among groups A and B., Conclusions: There were no significant differences in the postoperative QOL and GET between PPG patients with preserving PHV and those without preserving PHV. Cholecystolithiasis was only found in patients without preserving PHV.

Background and Objectives: Food retention and bile reflux has been frequently observed in gastric cancer patients following a subtotal gastrectomy. The aim of this study was to determine whether reconstruction methods after the distal subtotal gastrectomy influenced the degree of food residue and bile reflux., Methods: The prospectively collected data was reviewed retrospectively for 522 patients with early gastric cancer who had undertaken a follow-up endoscopic examination after a distal subtotal gastrectomy between 2003 and 2006., Results: The incidence of food retention was 55.5%, 31.9%, and 20.9% at 3, 12, and 24 months after distal subtotal gastrectomy, respectively. The food residue score was higher in the Billroth I (stapling) group than the Billroth II (hand sewing) group at 3 months after surgery (P = 0.006). The incidence of bile reflux was higher in the Billroth II group than in the Billroth I group at 12 and 24 months after surgery (P < 0.001, P = 0.002, respectively). No significant association was found between the food retention and body weight changes., Conclusions: Food retention was detected in lots of patients after subtotal gastrectomy and the reconstructive methods after subtotal gastrectomy was not relevant to food retention.

We designed a conscious pig model to investigate myoelectric activity and the number of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the proximal jejunum following the Roux-en-Y and 'uncut' Roux procedures in relation to clinical outcomes. Twelve male Polish White pigs (8 weeks old, 10-13 kg) underwent surgery under general anaesthesia first to implant bipolar electrodes and telemetry transmitters for continuous electromyography recordings and then, after 1 week recovery, to create Roux-en-Y (n = 6) and 'uncut' Roux loops (n = 6). Upper gut tissue specimens were studied for the expression of c-kit staining procedure to quantitatively identify the presence of interstitial cells of Cajal. The intestinal migrating motor complex was restored within 10.5 and 37 h in 'uncut' Roux and Roux-en-Y pigs, respectively (P < 0.05). During 2 weeks, the 'uncut' Roux piglets increased their body weight by 18.0%, whereas the Roux-en-Y piglets increased their body weight by only 7.3% (P < or = 0.05). Two weeks after surgery, the number of ICC located in the region of Auerbach's plexus was higher and adhesions in the abdominal cavity lower in the 'uncut' Roux group. In conclusion, in the pig model, preservation of smooth muscle and ICC network continuity in the proximal jejunum may play an important role in early postsurgical recovery.

Background: Since the early 1990s, pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) has been used in the treatment of patients with early gastric cancer in order to reduce postprandial symptoms. To date, there have been few reports of long-term symptom evaluation following this procedure. The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term postoperative outcomes after PPG., Methods: Three hundred and ninety-seven patients with early gastric cancer were enrolled in this study: 194 patients who underwent PPG and 203 who underwent distal gastrectomy with Billroth-I reconstruction (DGBI). We compared the symptoms for the two groups in a questionnaire on postoperative functional outcomes, endoscopy findings and the appearance of gallstones after surgery., Results: The incidence of symptoms suggesting early dumping syndrome was significantly lower in the PPG group compared with the DGBI group (P < 0.05). The incidences of disturbed bowel habit and frequent flatus were significantly lower in the PPG than in the DGBI group. The average relative body weight (actual BW/ BW immediately before the surgery) was significantly better in the PPG than in the DGBI group (P < 0.001)., Conclusion: The long-term results show that PPG has clear advantages over DGBI in terms of postoperative symptoms and functional outcomes. These results imply that PPG should be the recommended procedure for early gastric cancers located in the middle third of the stomach.

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.

The paper gives the X-ray characteristics of the functional performance of the gastrointestinal tract in 127 patients after radical operations performed by classical and plastic techniques for gastric cancer.

Purpose: To test the hypothesis that the changes in ileal smooth muscle contractility accompanying postgastrectomy syndromes are agonist-specific, we investigated the effects of potassium chloride (KCl), carbachol, substance P (SP), and serotonin on ileal smooth muscle contractility after total gastrectomy in rats., Methods: We performed total gastrectomy in ten rats and a sham operation in another ten rats as a control. All of the rats were killed and their ileums excised 4 weeks postoperatively. The concentration-response relationships for KCl, SP, and serotonin were obtained by adding each agent cumulatively to the organ bath. Morphological changes in the ileum were also examined by light microscopy., Results: There was no significant difference between the responsiveness of gastrectomized and control tissues to KCl. Maximum responses (E(max)) to carbachol and SP were less in the gastrectomized ileal segments than in the control ileal segments. E(max) to serotonin was higher in the gastrectomized ileal segments than in the control ileal segments. The pD(2)value, i.e., the negative logarithm of the concentration for the half-maximal response, EC(50), for carbachol, SP, and serotonin was unchanged in the gastroctomized ileal segments and the control segments. Total gastrectomy also caused morphological changes in the ileum., Conclusions: These data indicate that the contractile response to various agents is altered after total gastrectomy and that receptor-mediated mechanisms may cause these changes.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess gastric emptying and postprandial proximal gastric tone variations depending on the presence of postoperative symptoms after Billroth II gastrectomy (BII)., Methods: A total of 16 consecutive patients were prospectively studied 10 +/- 3 months after distal gastrectomy for antral cancer. No evidence of cancer recurrence was detected at the time of the study. Ten patients were asymptomatic after surgery, whereas six patients were considered as symptomatic because of at least one weekly epigastric pain, postprandial fullness, nausea, or vomiting. The fasting fundus volume and tone, the onset of a gastric relaxation after a standard 200-kcal liquid meal, and the characteristics of this relaxation (delay of occurrence, amplitude) were determined with a barostat. Patient results were compared to normal values obtained in 12 healthy volunteers. Gastric emptying studies were performed in all patients using the C(13) acid octanoic breath test after a 250-kcal meal., Results: In the patients, both fasting fundus tone (BII 7.0 +/- 0.5, controls 8.4 +/- 2.4 mm Hg) and volume (BII 108 +/- 11, controls 119 +/- 29 ml) were not different from controls. Fasting fundus tone was lower in asymptomatic patients than in symptomatic patients (6.5 +/- 0.4 vs 8.1 +/- 0.5 mm Hg, p < 0.04). Gastric relaxation was observed immediately after the meal in all asymptomatic patients as well as in controls. In contrast, gastric relaxation occurred in only two of six symptomatic patients (p < 0.01); when it occurred it was delayed by the meal and was observed only 23 +/- 1 min after food intake. When a relaxation occurred, its amplitude was higher than that observed in controls both in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients (294 +/- 21 vs 179 +/- 53 ml, p < 0.02)., Conclusions: After distal gastrectomy, gastric accommodation is impaired (i.e., absent or delayed) in symptomatic patients. When relaxation exists in these patients, its amplitude is higher than in control subjects.

Background/aims: We evaluated the efficacy of the following three surgical options in gastrectomy for early gastric cancer; 1) reduction of the extent of gastrectomy, 2) preservation of the vagal nerve, and 3) preservation of the pylorus., Methodology: The postoperative physical conditions of patients who had undergone 6 kinds of operating methods incorporating elements 1), 2) and 3) were compared. The efficacy of elements 1) and 3) was evaluated by comparison among a 2/3 proximal gastrectomy group (2/3-PG group, n = 5), 4/5 proximal gastrectomy group (4/5-PG group, n = 7), and total gastrectomy group (TG group, n = 12). The efficacy of elements 1), 2) and 3) was also evaluated by comparison among a pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) group with preservation of the vagal nerve (PPGV group, n = 15), 2/3 distal gastrectomy group with preservation of the vagal nerve (2/3-DGV group, n = 12), and 4/5 distal gastrectomy group without preservation of the vagal nerve (4/5-DG group, n = 15)., Results: Body weight loss and the incidence of abdominal symptoms and anemia in the 2/3-PG group, PPGV or 2/3-DGV group were less frequent than in the TG group or 4/5-DG group. The increases in acetaminophen concentration in the 2/3-PG group, PPGV or 2/3-DGV groups, and the changes in blood sugar and insulin levels in the 2/3-PG or PPGV group were modest, while hypergastrinemia in the 2/3-PG group was remarkable. The insulinogenic index was high in the 2/3-DGV group, and the plasma cholecystokinin changes and contraction pattern of the gallbladder resembled their preoperative pattern in the PPGV and 2/3-DGV groups. These results indicated that the patients in the 2/3-PG group owed their benefits to elements 1) and 3), the 2/3-DGV group to elements 1) and 2), and the PPGV group to elements 1), 2) and 3)., Conclusions: Three surgical options in gastrectomy procedures for early gastric cancer, 1) reduction of the extent of gastrectomy, 2) preservation of the vagal nerve, and 3) preservation of the pylorus, were individually confirmed to have benefits for better postoperative quality of life.

Pylorus-preserving distal gastrectomy (PPG) has frequently been performed on patients with early gastric cancer in Japan to prevent the postgastrectomy syndrome seen after conventional distal gastrectomy (CDG). The long-term postoperative quality of life (QOL) and gastric emptying function in patients after PPG has not been assessed in detail. To clarify the usefulness of PPG for treating early gastric cancer we investigated the relation between postgastrectomy syndrome and gastric emptying function 5 years after PPG and then compared the results with those 5 years after CDG. Altogether, 32 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy at our clinic for early gastric cancer (submucosal cancer without lymph node metastasis) were studied. Ten subjects who underwent PPG with D2 lymphadenectomy without preserving the hepatic and pyloric branches of the vagal nerve [group A: eight men, two women; age 33-70 years (mean 60.7 years)] were interviewed and asked about appetite, weight loss, epigastric fullness, reflux esophagitis, and early dumping syndrome. They were compared with patients after CDG [group B: 36-72 years (mean 63.6 years)]. Esophagogastric endoscopy, abdominal ultrasonography, and gastric emptying function were also studied. The gastric emptying time of a semisolid diet was measured with a radioisotope method using (99m)Tc-labeled rice gruel; the gastric emptying time of a liquid diet was measured with the acetaminophen method using orange juice. The control subjects (group C) consisted of 18 healthy volunteers (10 men, 8 women) without gastrointestinal symptoms aged 38 to 68 years (mean 60.8 years). The following results were obtained: PPG (group A) alleviated postoperative gastrointestinal symptoms such as appetite loss, reflux esophagitis, early dumping syndrome, lost body weight, endoscopic reflux esophagitis, endoscopic gastritis in the remnant stomach, and postogastrectomy cholecystolithiasis better than did CDG (group B). The only weak point with the PPG procedure was that it produced a feeling of epigastric fullness. The pattern of the gastric emptying curve for the semisolid diet was almost the same among groups A, B, and C, although delayed gastric emptying was clearly more frequent in group A than in group B or C ( p < 0.05). Gastric emptying with the liquid diet in group B was significantly faster than that in groups A and C ( p < 0.01). Gastric emptying in groups A and C was similar. These results showed that PPG improved the postoperative QOL, but the delayed emptying of semisolid diet after PPG led to a feeling of epigastric fullness after meals due to retention of contents in the residual stomach. Epigastric fullness after meals continued in many patients after PPG. Thus the only disadvantage of the PPG procedure is the sensation of epigastric fullness and gastric stasis due to delayed gastric emptying of a semisolid diet.

Reservoir function of a jejunum pouch is better than a simple Roux-en-Y limb. Postoperative processes of adaptation take at least 6 months. Pouch volume increases substantially after the operation and reaches about 200% of its initial volume. Morphological structure changes with muscular wall hypertrophy, plump deformation and widening of the villi, and a reduction of the mucosal surface. There is a change of motility pattern with a reduction of the propagation velocity. Randomized studies demonstrate a better reservoir function, less reflux, less heart burn, a slower passage time and fewer dumping symptoms after pouch reconstruction.

Background/aims: Gastric emptying rate for solid and for liquid test meals was investigated retrospectively in patients with longstanding epigastric distress after partial gastrectomy, either as primary treatment or after failure of vagotomy for peptic ulcer in order to find an explanation for the postoperative symptoms., Methodology: Radionuclide-labeled liquid and solid test meals were used to evaluate gastric emptying rate, at least one year after surgery., Results: The lag phase for liquid test meals disappeared in all operated patients. Partial gastrectomy usually lead to fast emptying but this resective procedure, if performed after vagotomy, lead to stasis in a significant number of patients. Gastric emptying rate for solids increased in only a few of these symptomatic patients. In most of them however, there was a normal to decreased emptying rate. If a vagotomy had preceded the resective procedure, gastric emptying rate decreased significantly., Conclusions: In all these symptomatic patients, gastric emptying had been disturbed for at least one type of test meal. This makes investigation for both meals necessary, especially since there is a lack of correlation. Furthermore, if vagotomy fails to prevent ulcer recurrence, one should carefully consider all options before performing partial gastrectomy since gastric emptying rate after these consecutive procedures worsens considerably.

A total of 30 patients (18 men, 12 women; 43-79 years, mean 58.9 years) 1.0 to 1.5 years (mean 1.25 years) after distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer (Billorth I, D2 lymph node dissection, curability A) were divided into two groups based on the occurrence of interdigestive migrating motor complex (IMMC) phase III (pIII) from the duodenum and their postoperative gastrointestinal symptoms. They were compared before and after cisapride therapy (at an oral dose of 7.5 mg/day for 3 months). Results were as follows. Before cisapride therapy: (1) Patients in the IMMC-pIII-positive group (n = 20) had more appetite and ate more food with less decrease in body weight than those in the IMMC-pIII-negative group (n = 10); (2) patients in the IMMC-pIII-positive group clearly had fewer symptoms, such as early dumping (systemic) symptoms, symptoms of reflux esophagitis (e.g., heartburn, feeling of regurgitation, difficult swallowing), nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, abdominal distension, and borborygmus, than the IMMC-pIII-negative group. After cisapride therapy: eight patients (80%) in the IMMC-pIII-negative group became IMMC-pIII-positive, and their appetite and food consumption were obviously improved; body weight increased in six patients (60%), with alleviation of other abdominal symptoms and disappearance of the early dumping syndrome. These results showed a more satisfactory condition in regard to gastrointestinal symptoms in the IMMC-pIII-positive group than in the IMMC-pIII-negative group. It is concluded that cisapride therapy results in the occurrence of IMMC-pIII and subsequently alleviates various abdominal symptoms, contributing to the improved postoperative gastrointestinal condition of patients after gastrectomy.

A total of 40 patients (28 males, 12 females; mean age, 56.6 years; range, 41-72 years), 1-1.5 years (mean, 1.4 years) after subtotal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer (Billroth I, D2 lymph node dissection, curability A) were divided into 2 groups according to the occurrence of interdigestive migrating motor complex (IMMC), phase III from the duodenum, and their postoperative quality of life was compared. Results were as follows: (i) patients in the IMMC, phase III positive group (28 patients) had evidently more appetite and ate more food, with less decrease in body weight compared with the IMMC, phase III negative group (12 patients); and (ii) patients in the IMMC, phase III positive group had clearly less symptoms, such as early dumping symptoms (systemic symptoms), symptoms of reflux esophagitis (e.g. heartburn, feeling of regurgitation, difficult swallowing), nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, abdominal distention, and borborygmus, compared with the negative group. These results showed more satisfactory quality of life in the IMMC, phase III positive group compared with the negative group.

Background/aims: There have been many reports proposing some advantages of pylorus-preserving gastrectomy for gastric ulcer compared to the conventional distal gastrectomy. However, it is not clear whether similar results will be obtained from the patients with early gastric cancer., Methodology: Of 50 patients with early gastric cancer, 25 underwent pylorus-preserving gastrectomy under strict criteria and the other 25 underwent distal gastrectomy with Billroth I anastomosis by the same surgeon. The subjects were then interviewed and examined periodically to assess symptoms, food intake, body weight and serum nutritional parameters. Endoscopy and a radioisotope gastric emptying test was performed 1 year after the operation., Results: Many of the patients with pylorus-preserving gastrectomy complained of gastric fullness after meals, resulting in poor food intake; a significant between-group difference was found up to 1 year after the operation. A low incidence of reflux gastritis and slow gastric emptying were confirmed in the patients after pylorus-preserving gastrectomy., Conclusions: Pylorus-preserving gastrectomy has advantages over distal gastrectomy in terms of the avoidance of dumping syndrome and protection against duodeno-gastric reflux. However, more time was necessary for improved gastric fullness or food intake. Pylorus-preserving gastrectomy should be applied in younger patients with early gastric cancer expecting long survival.

Reconstruction of the intestinal passage after a total gastrectomy is usually based on a direct esophagojejunostomy with end-to-side implantation of the afferent loop. The second principle of reconstruction is based on preservation of the duodenal passage. Long-term problems such as weight loss and malnutrition are further considerations that lead to the concept that gastric reconstruction should have the form of a reservoir. In addition to the construction of the reservoir itself, the clinical concern of avoiding gastroesophageal reflux is a further requirement for the choice of reconstruction type. Diversion of the duodenal content via a Roux-en-Y end-to-side anastomosis is considered to be the standard procedure. Interposition of a sufficiently long duodenal loop with maintenance of the duodenal passage also has the effect of preventing duodenal reflux. A theoretical advantage of this procedure is the linking of the motility of the duodenum with that of the interposed segment with improved synchronization of the aboral nutrient passage. When one considers complicated reconstructive procedures, the present literature suggests construction of a pouch is definitely functionally superior to the simple esophagojejunostomy. Whether the duodenal passage should be maintained or whether a Roux-Y technique should be used is a question that is still open for discussion.

Background/aims: We evaluated the quality of life and gastric emptying in patients who had undergone a segmental gastrectomy to treat early gastric cancer in the middle part of the stomach., Methodology: Thirty patients were considered in this study. Their mean age was 65.5 years (range: 44-83). All of the patients were free from recurrence of their cancer in the follow-up period. This ranged from 5 to 50 months (mean 30). Patients were interviewed at regular intervals to assess their quality of life and to note particular complaints. The upper gastrointestinal tract was assessed endoscopically. A gastric emptying study was performed at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. The meal used in this dual-phase study had solid and liquid phases. For the solid phase, 74 MBq of 99mTc sulfur colloid was injected into an egg, which was then hard-boiled. For the liquid phase, 18.5 MBq of (111)In-diethyltriaminopenta acetic acid (DTPA) were mixed into 150 ml of a commercial, elentary liquid diet., Results: Three months after surgery, the patients' main complaints were gastric stasis (25%), heartburn (8%) and belching (8%). The patients gradually became asymptomatic following surgery. Fifty-nine percent were asymptomatic at the 3-month follow-up, 84% at 6 months, and 92% at 12 months. There was no evidence of reflux esophagitis or gastritis after the 3-month follow-up. One patient developed a complicated duodenal ulcer. Initially, the patients all had prolonged gastric emptying of the dual phase meal, compared to normal individuals. The T1/2 for liquid meal emptying was 87+/-18 min at 3 months, 77+/-20 min at 6 months and 50+/-5 min at 1 year after surgery. The last value is the same as for healthy individuals. Solid meal emptying was still prolonged, with an emptying rate of 36+/-9.7% at 2 hours, one year after surgery., Conclusions: Segmental gastrectomy patients experienced prolonged gastric emptying in the early post-operative period. This improved in the first year after surgery. The quality of life for patients who underwent segmental gastrectomy has been reasonably good in the follow-up period to date.

Background/aims: With the development of high-performance computer programs, transcutaneous electrogastrography has experienced a renaissance in the last few years and is widely recommended as a non-invasive diagnostic tool to evaluate functional gastric disorders. We assessed the clinical value of electrogastrography in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients after a variety of procedures of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract., Methodology: Electrogastrography tracings were recorded with a commercially available data logger using a recording frequency of 4 Hz. A standard meal was given between a 60 min preprandial and a 60 min postprandial period. The following parameters were analyzed pre- and postprandially utilizing Fourier and spectral analysis: Regular gastric activity (2-4 cycles/minute), bradygastria (0.5-2 cycles/minute), tachygastria (4-9 cycles/minute), dominant frequency and power of the dominant frequency. Nineteen asymptomatic healthy volunteers served as a control group. Forty-nine patients, who had undergone upper intestinal surgery, were included in the study (cholecystectomy n = 10, Nissen fundoplication n = 10, subtotal gastrectomy n = 8, truncal vagotomy, and gastric pull-up as esophageal replacement n = 6). Twenty of these patients complained of epigastric symptoms post-operatively, while 12 of these 20 patients also had a scintigraphic gastric emptying study with Tc99m labeled semisolid meal., Results: Preprandial gastric electric activity was between 2 and 4 cycles/minute in 60-90% of the study time in healthy volunteers. In all study groups the prevalence and power of normal electric activity increased significantly after the test meal (p < 0.001). After cholecystectomy, Nissen fundoplication, subtotal gastrectomy or vagotomy and gastric pull-up pre- and postprandial gastric electric activity showed a greater variability compared to normal volunteers (p < 0.05), but no typical electrogastrography pattern could be identified for the different surgical procedures. There was no significant difference in the electrogastrography pattern between asymptomatic and symptomatic patients and patients with normal or abnormal scintigraphic gastric emptying curves., Conclusions: There is no specific electrogastrography pattern to differentiate between typical surgical procedures or epigastric symptoms. To date, electrogastrography does not contribute to the diagnosis and analysis of gastric motility disorders after upper intestinal surgery.

Nonphysiological alkaline reflux after partial gastrectomy may produce a range of gastrointestinal disorders. The Bilitec probe is a fibroptic sensor that, for the first time, makes in vivo measurement of this reflux possible, by assay of spectrophotometric absorption of bilirubin. We studied 20 patients who had undergone partial gastrectomy for benign peptic ulcer disease. Ten patients had Billroth II reconstruction and ten had Roux-en-Y reconstruction. In the Roux-en-Y Group we found almost complete control of symptoms and no objective evidence of alkaline reflux as measured by the Bilitec probe. In the Billroth II group we detected by the fiberoptic sensor significant bile reflux into the stomach remnant. Based on these results we recommend Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy as the method of choice for reconstruction after distal gastric resection.

Disturbances in calcium and bone metabolism after gastrectomy have long been recognized. It has been suggested that due to impaired calcium absorption after gastrectomy, serum calcium is decreased, being counter-regulated by parathyroid hormone release and 1,25-(OH)2-vitamin D formation. Both parathyroid hormone and 1,25-(OH)2-vitamin D are known to release calcium from bone, resulting in bone mass loss and increased fracture risk in some of the gastrectomized patients. No therapy is currently generally agreed on, although supplementation of vitamin D and calcium has been suggested repeatedly. A review on the current understanding of calcium and bone metabolism after gastrectomy is given.

The absorbing function of the small intestine was studied in healthy subjects and those patients with chronic gastritis presenting with lower than the normal body mass, than of above normal, and normal, with the aid of the D-xylose test alone and in combination with atropine, lactose, amino acids, intralipid. The data obtained suggest functional and reserve inadequacy in those individuals with nutritional disorders presenting as deficit in respect of body mass of alimentary- and-constitutional genesis.

To elucidate mechanisms involved in weight development after gastrectomy we have prospectively determined changes in body composition during the first year after similar operations. A total of 75 patients were enrolled who had a "curative operation" for gastric carcinoma; 42 were randomized to have a total gastrectomy, 23 total gastrectomy with a gastric substitute, and 10 subtotal gastrectomy. All reconstructions were done with a Roux-en-Y loop of the jejunum. Body composition was assessed preoperatively and at 6 and 12 months after gastrectomy by determining total body potassium and total body water. From these estimates, body cell mass, extracellular water, fat-free extracellular solids, and body fat were calculated with knowledge of the actual body weight and length. Triceps skinfold, arm muscle circumference, and grip strength were also measured. Weight loss (10% of preoperative weight) occurred early after the operations, after which body weight stabilized. Body cell mass remained essentially unchanged over the entire study period in contrast to body fat, which decreased by 40% during the first 6 months after gastrectomy. In accordance with the selective loss of body fat, we recorded a significant decrease in triceps skinfold figures and only a minor decrease of arm muscle circumference without obvious deterioration in hand grip strength. Weight loss after gastrectomy seems to be characterized by selective loss of body fat in contrast to other known clinical situations associated with impaired nutritional intake. Our observations form a basis for future clinical research aimed at preventing weight loss after these operations.

Recent advances in the modalities of quantitatively assessing bone mineral content have resulted in an increasing awareness of metabolic bone disease as a late complication following gastrectomy. In this study, 98 postgastrectomy patients were examined by quantitative computed tomography (QCT). The bone mineral density index (BMDI), defined as 100 x (measured bone mineral density divided by that of age- and sex-matched controls), was used to evaluate the actual effect of gastrectomy on bone disorders. The BMDI values following gastrectomy were 80.4 +/- 27.3, with no significant difference between men and women, or between total and distal gastrectomy. Moreover, no significant differences were observed between the BMDI values within 6 months, being 92.6 +/- 37.3, and those 6 months to 1 year post gastrectomy, being 79.6 +/- 31.2; however, a significant and sharp decrease to 70.5 +/- 36.0 was evident after 1-2 years. The regression coefficient of the BMDI measured within 2 years postoperatively was lower than that measured after 2 years. These findings suggest that the influence of gastrectomy on bone metabolism is induced within 2 years, after which the bone mineral content decreases in accordance with physiological nature. Thus, we conclude that the treatment for bone disease resulting from gastrectomy would only be effective if initiated within a short period after surgery.

The motor function of the gallbladder after partial distal gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma (Billroth-I reconstruction) and its relationship to the motor function of the stomach was investigated using a double-isotope method. In this method, [99mTc]N-54-pyridoxyl-5-methyltryptophan ([99mTc]PMT) was utilized as a tracer for the biliary tract and [111In]diethyl-triaminopontacetic acid ([111In]DTPA) mixed with a liquid test meal was used as a tracer for the digestive tract. Gastric emptying half-time (GET1/2) was measured, since this was used historically as the physiologic indicator of gallbladder contractile stimulus. The volume of test meal that emptied from the stomach into the duodenum per minute (VOL/MIN) was measured, as was the gastric emptying duration (GED). A series of gallbladder emptying phenomena were analyzed using three different criteria: gallbladder emptying half-time (GBET1/2), retention rate of bile in the gallbladder (RR), and the start of gallbladder bile ejection into the duodenum after ingestion (TL: time lag). While GET1/2 was reduced (P < 0.01) and VOL/MIN was increased (P < 0.01) after gastrectomy, GED was shortened remarkably (P < 0.01). GBET1/2 showed no significant change, RR increased (P < 0.05), and TL was prolonged (P < 0.01). The postoperative dysfunction of the gallbladder was caused by the short and intense stimulus on the biliary tract during the duodenal phase and by intraoperative injury to the innervation of the gallbladder. In particular, the hepatic branch of the left vagus nerve was injured during the right paracardiac lymph node dissection performed as a component of the radical gastrectomy.

The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is usually removed during total gastrectomy to successfully perform a curative operation. In this study, the preservation of the LES in curative total gastrectomy was attempted to reduce the reflux. An experimental study using dogs has revealed that the high-pressure zone of the LES can be preserved by making a resection at the gastroesophageal junction, which thus helps to protect the reflux. A previous clinicopathological study revealed that the LES can be preserved without any fear of recurrence at the resection site, if the tumor is located more than 2.0 cm and 3.0 cm from the gastroesophageal junction to the oral margin in node-negative and -positive cases, respectively. Clinically, 8 patients underwent an LES-preserving total gastrectomy [LES(+) gastrectomy] while 19 had an LES(-) gastrectomy in the same period. Of the five LES(+) cases examined, all showed a high pressure zone, whereas none of the four LES(-) cases examined showed such a high-pressure zone after the operation. Endoscopic examination showed that only one of the seven LES(+) cases but six of nine LES(-) cases revealed esophagitis.

Hypoglycemia is characterized by a set of symptoms, but is not a diagnosis in itself. Initial attention should focus on documentation of the condition by typical symptoms (low blood sugar and disappearance of symptoms after glucose ingestion) before further testing is considered. To evaluate acute hypoglycemia, it is important to make an initial classification into one of three categories based on history: medication- or toxin-induced, fasting (not specifically associated with meals and usually occurring over 4 hours from the last meal) or postprandial hypoglycemia. A pathophysiologic approach to well-documented hypoglycemia leads to a straightforward strategy and to a diagnosis in most cases. True fasting hypoglycemia is almost invariably associated with a significant pathology, whereas postprandial hypoglycemia is not. An observed fast over 48-72 hours is diagnostic in nearly 100%. The diagnosis rests on several simultaneous features: hypoglycemia < 2.2 mmol/l, neuroglycopenic symptoms, and inappropriately elevated plasma insulin (> 30-40 pmol/l) and C-peptide levels (> 200 pmol/l) to document endogenous insulin release. Once the diagnosis of hyperinsulinism has been established, localization of the causative insulinoma (solitary adenomas in 80-90%) has traditionally been by means of the surgeon's fingers at laparotomy. In expert hands most tumors can be accurately located and removed. Although virtually every imaging technique has been advocated for preoperative localization of insulinomas, none has proved sufficiently reliable and surgical exploration is necessary even in the presence of a negative preoperative localization. Most patients who seek evaluation of reactive hypoglycemia describe a postprandial syndrome, which occurs with some regularity 2-4 hours after meals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

One of the surgical procedures that has been performed to reduce symptoms of dumping is the antiperistaltic jejunal limb (APL). We hypothesized that the polarity of the Phase III activity fronts would be maintained after creation of an APL. To test that hypothesis, water perfused, low compliance intestinal manometry was performed upon four patients with APL, four patients with vagotomy, antrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy (VARY) and four volunteers. The patients were studied for a minimum of four hours of fasting. Recordings were analyzed by visual inspection by two observers and results are expressed as mean plus or minus standard error of the mean. Statistical analysis was performed with Student's t test. Phase III activity fronts occurred more frequently (1.4 +/- 0.3 per hour) in the patients with a VARY reconstruction than in the volunteers (0.5 +/- 0.5 minute). The duration of Phase II activity was significantly less in the patients with the VARY reconstruction (19.1 +/- 5.1 minutes) than in the volunteers (49.5 +/- 5.2 minutes). Patients with reversed activity fronts showed statistically significant propagation velocity (3.0 +/- 0.6 versus 9.6 +/- 2.0 centimeters per minute) (p < 0.005), but longer Phase III activity fronts (8.0 +/- 0.8 versus 4.9 +/- 0.3 minutes) (p < 0.001) than in the volunteers. Although there were a number of abnormalities identified in the patients with VARY reconstruction, there were no reverse Phase III activity fronts seen in the four patients with APL reconstruction. The polarity of the small intestine is maintained up to 21 years after construction of an antiperistaltic jejunal segment.

After a Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy patients frequently complain about abdominal pain, fullness, nausea and vomiting, ie, the Roux-en-Y syndrome. Stasis in the Roux limb due to disordered motility is known to be a cause of these complaints. The aim of the present study was to determine whether vagal denervation contributes to the development of motility disturbances and stasis in the Roux limb. Forty-seven patients with a Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy after partial gastrectomy were studied. A truncal vagotomy had been performed in 26 of these 47 patients. Transit through the Roux limb was evaluated by radionuclide studies, motility in the Roux limb was studied by manometry, and vagal function was tested by measuring the pancreatic polypeptide response to an insulin-induced hypoglycemia (PP test). On the basis of the PP test patients were classified as having (1) normal, (2) moderately impaired, and (3) severely impaired vagal function. The PP test showed that two of the 26 patients subjected to vagotomy had a moderately impaired vagal function, the other 24 all had a severely impaired vagal function. In the patients not subjected to a vagotomy, vagal function was disturbed in 11 of the 21 patients. Motility disturbances were not observed more frequently in patients with either moderately or severely impaired vagal function than in patients with normal vagal function. Stasis in the Roux limb was seen even more frequently in patients with a normal vagal function than in patients with a severely impaired vagal function.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

In this animal study we investigated the absorption of free fatty acids and triglycerides after gastrectomy. The levels of the hormones cholecystokinin and secretin were measured in response to a controlled enteral fat load (Lipofundin 20% MCT emulsion). We studied fat absorption in three groups of animals: the gastrectomy group in which lipid emulsion was administered in the duodenum, and two groups of controls that received the same infusion in the duodenum or stomach, respectively. Infusing the fat load directly into the duodenum, rather than the stomach, resulted in delayed absorption of fatty acids. In the gastrectomized animals there was, in addition, increased absorption of triglycerides. Medium- and long-chain fatty acids were found to be an adequate stimulus for secretion of the gastrointestinal hormones cholecystokinin (CCK) and secretin. In the gastrectomized group, higher baseline levels of both CCK and secretin were observed. CCK showed no response to the lipid stimulus, whereas a secretin response was observed over and above the raised baseline level. The gastrectomized animals showed a markedly restricted growth rate, as measured by body weight; however, they continued to gain weight in a linear fashion up to the end of the study period. No alterations in morphology of CCK-secreting cells were found.

Disturbances of intestinal motility, bacterial overgrowth and pancreocibal asynchrony are frequent findings in patients after Roux-en-y reconstruction (RYR). In dogs (n = 6) electromyographic recording of motility after partial gastrectomy with Roux-en-y reconstruction revealed no significant differences from controls in the Roux limb. However, changes in intestinal motility were extensively in the blind loop. The electromyographic pattern was characterized by an extreme loss of activity in the fasted and postprandial state. The activity front of the migrating motility complex occurred only in 25% of the fasting studies and was not correlated in time with motility patterns of connected small intestine. Food intake led to a significant increase in the motility index in the Roux limb (60.2 +/- 10.5), but not in the blind ending loop (27.8 +/- 4.1). Pharmacological stimulation of the hypomotile blind loop with cisapride is successful: increase of the motility index to 111.2 +/- 16.5. It might be useful in the treatment of symptomatic patients after RYR.

The stomach has two distinct physiologic motor areas: the proximal stomach and the distal stomach. The proximal stomach, with its slow, sustained contractions, has a key role in regulating intragastric pressure and gastric emptying of liquids, while the distal stomach, with its peristaltic contractions, has a major role in mixing, trituration, and emptying of solids. Diseases and operations that disturb the motility of these two areas can result in unique adverse motor sequelae. For example, operations that impair proximal gastric motility, such as proximal gastric resection, may cause rapid gastric emptying of liquids and subsequent dumping and diarrhea. In contrast, operations that impair distal gastric contractions, such as truncal vagotomy, may cause slow gastric emptying of solids and chronic gastric atony. Knowledge of the physiology of the stomach in health and of the pathophysiology with disease and after operation provides a basis for the successful treatment and prevention of these disorders.