The aerobic and anaerobic microflora of the gastric remnant more than 15 years after Billroth II resection.

The bacteriology of the gastric remnant contents was examined in 150 patients 15-20 years after Billroth II resection for duodenal ulcer disease. Samples of gastric contents were aspirated through a gastroscope, and aerobic and anaerobic microflora were cultured and analyzed semiquantitatively. All patients but one had bacterial growth, with a mean number of 6.8 strains per remnant. One third of the bacterial strains were anaerobic, and many of them had their normal habitat in the colon. The role played by bacteria of the gastric remnant in the etiology of mucosal pathology and gastric remnant disease is discussed.