[The role of gastrin in duodenal ulceration (author's transl)].

The role of gastrin as a cause of duodenal ulceration has been generally overestimated. The serum gastrin level cannot be used as a criterion for choosing either partial gastrectomy or non-resecting surgery. In the postoperative course the stimulated serum gastrin release differs significantly after selective proximal vagotomy plus pyloroplasty and without pyloroplasty. This fact demonstrates the influence of pyloroplasty on the serum gastrin concentration. In case of duodenal ulcer the stimulated serum gastrin test presents a reliable method to control the results obtained after performing a highly selective vagotomy. Compared with the Hollander-test it is without any complication however more efforts are required.