ASSESSMENT OF GASTRIC-EMPTYING WITH A MET HOD IN GASTRECTOMIZED PATIENTS

Objective: We present a new method of assessment of gastric emptying i n gastrectomized patients. Patients and methods: The gastric emptying of non digestible solids were studied in two groups of; gastredomized patients, the Billroth II(n=25) and the Roux-en-Y (n=36) to relate the gastric emptying with the postgastrectomy symptoms. Results: The food retained in the gastric stump is related with significance with the p resence (p=0.01) and the absence (p=0.02) of markers. The patients ope rated on with the Billroth II technique present a higher frecuency of markers in the gastric stump (40% over 19.4% with the Roux-en-Y). The markers in the gastric stump are more common with the symptoms of pyro sis, nausea, bilious vomit, diarrhea and the postoperative gastritis o f alkaline reflux. Conclusions: The method of gastric emptying of non digestible solids is a valid and reliable study of the gastric emptyin g and should be carried out in all candidates for endoscopy because it is harmless and easy to perform and evaluate.