[Serum gastrin and gastric acid level following vagotomy without pyloroplasty and partial gastrectomy (BI) (author's transl)].

The course of gastric acid secretion and serum gastrin level before and after operation was studied in 41 patients suffering from a gastroscopically determined ulcer disease. In 15 patients suffering from duodenal ulcer, a highly selective vagotomy without pyloroplasty was performed and in 26 patients suffering from peptic ulcer (duodenal or gastric ulcer) a partial gastrectomy (Billroth I). After a highly selective vagotomy without pyloroplasty a reduction in the secretory response to pentagastrin and a significant rise of the basic and postprandial gastrin concentration could be observed. Both methods are suitable to determine the completeness of vagotomy. The estimation of the course of serum gastrin level after vagotomy only reveals a temporary disorder of the antrum-pylorus mechanism. In our opinion a pyloroplasty is not necessary.