Enteric transit and absorption after canine ileostomy. Effect of pacing.

The aim was to determine whether retrograde jejunal pacing would slow gastroenteric transit and reduce stomal output of water and electrolytes in dogs with ileostomy. In five alert animals with an end ileostomy, and jejunal pacing and recording electrodes, 200 g of liver labeled with technetium Tc 99m and 50 mL of polyethylene glycol-labeled water were fed to each animal on eight occasions. In one half of the experiments, the jejunum was paced backward for the first three hours after the meal, while in the other half pacing was not done. Stomal output was collected for nine hours. In four other experiments per dog, gastric emptying of the meal was measured by scintigraphy and aspiration after three hours of pacing or control. Jejunal pacing delayed gastrointestinal transit of both liquids and solids, reduced stomal output, and increased fecal sodium concentration during the pacing period. Net postcibal absorption of water and electrolytes over nine hours, however, was not increased by pacing.