Progression of changes in gastric emptying of hypertonic liquids after proximal gastric vagotomy. An experimental study.

Gastric emptying rates of hypertonic (10%) dextrose liquid meals were studied in five dogs before, and 3, 6, and 12 months after proximal gastric vagotomy (PGV) without drainage. The purpose of this study was to determine if operation-related changes in emptying rates normalized or became more disparate during the year after PGV. An increased rate of emptying during the first 5 min after ingestion was seen at 3 months after PGV, which significantly increased (P less than 0.025) after 6 and 12 months. The remainder of the meal after PGV emptied at a regulated expotential rate unchanged throughout the postoperative year from its preoperative rate. Total volumes of gastric aspirate at four intervals after meal ingestion did not significantly change across the four test periods in respect to endogenous secretion or pH acidity.