[Role of blood flow in the etiology of pain caused by ulcer and its cessation after vagotomy].

The author examined 124 patients with duodenal ulcer prior to and after various types of vagotomy. There were 96 males and 28 females whose age ranged from 18 to 76 years. The regional blood flow in the gastric and duodenal mucosa was measured by the hydrogen clearance method. The results provide evidence that along with increase acid- and pepsin-production, the intensity of the local blood flow in the duodenal mucosa is reduced in patients with duodenal ulcer. After vagotomy the debit of hydrochloric acid and pepsin reduces and the intensity of the blood flow in the duodenal mucosa increases. The combination of these two effects of vagotomy facilitates the cessation of pain during the first postoperative days.