Aberrations in Hollander test response after incomplete vagotomy. Compensating effect of antral resection in the dog.

Acid secretory and serum gastrin responses to 2-deoxy-D-glucose and insulin were compared in gastric fistula dogs before and after partial vagotomy and pyloroplasty or partial vagotomy and antrectomy. The acid response and serum gastrin curve were basically unaltered by partial vagotomy and pyloroplasty. Based on the data presented, the acid response to insulin hypoglycemia appears to be more dependent on the vagal release of antral gastrin than on direct vagal stimulation of the parietal cell. However, acid response to insulin was profoundly suppressed to only 4 per cent of control levels after partial vagotomy and antrectomy. Although acid response to 2-deoxy-D-glucose was also profoundly depressed to 33 per cent of control levels after partial vagotomy and antrectomy, it was seven times greater than that seen with insulin. Serum gastrin response was abolished after antrectomy to either insulin or 2-deoxy-D-glucose. Finally, the question to which we originally addressed ourselves appears to have been answered and, in terms of response to vagal stimulation, antrectomy appears to compensate for incomplete vagal denervation and may lead to aberrations and misinterpretations, raising serious questions as to the validity of the Hollander test in patients who have undergone distal gastric resection.