Experimental studies in gastric physiology in man: the mechanism of gastric evacuation after partial gastrectomy as demonstrated roentgenologically

Summary

Partial gastric resection apparently causes no basic changes in gastric evacuation. If the altered gastric chemistry which results from the resection is taken into consideration, then gastric evacuation is modified in the same way by the same agents that modify gastric-emptying of the intact stomach to a similar chemical response, except, of course, for quantitative differences. These differences appear to be due to the loss of the pyloric sphincter. The remaining gastric muscle-fibers appear to offer a substitution mechanism, but are not so efficient as was the pylorus. The response is similar to that of the intact stomach whether the test substances are ingested or are applied directly to the intestinal mucosa. The evidence also indicates that, even in a partially resected stomach, the mechanism of gastric evacuation is controlled from the intestinal side.

Since the stomach in this group was cut away from the duodenum, the intestinal effect upon gastric emptying cannot de dependent upon a reflex through the enteric plexuses. It does not however, rule out a long autonomic reflex. The data also indicate that resection of the stomach is in no real sense a “dumping operation” and that the roentgenologist in comparing gastric emptying times must take into consideration the nature of the meal used for the study.