Effect of proximal gastric vagotomy on the activity of hydrogen, potassium-stimulated ATPase in the gastric mucosa of patients with duodenal ulcer.

OBJECTIVE

To find out if there was a correlation between hydrogen, potassium stimulated ATPase (H,K-ATPase) activity and gastric acid secretion in patients with duodenal ulcers after proximal gastric vagotomy.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

Regional referral center.

SUBJECTS

61 patients with chronic duodenal ulcers divided into three groups: patients who had not been operated on but had exacerbations of their symptoms (n = 39): those who had been treated successfully by proximal gastric vagotomy either less than 1 year ago (n = 7) or greater than or equal to 1 year ago (n = 9): and those patients who presented with recurrent ulceration after proximal gastric vagotomy (n = 6).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Measurement of H,K-ATPase activity and gastric acid secretion.

RESULTS

There was a decrease in H,K-ATPase activity after effective vagotomy, and enzyme activity was the lowest in patients who had been operated on 1 year ago. Both H,K-ATPase and gastric acid secretion were decreased by proximal gastric vagotomy.

CONCLUSION

There may be a gradual recovery of gastric H,K-ATPase activity with time after proximal gastric vagotomy.