INFLUENCE OF PROXIMAL GASTRIC-VAGOTOMY ON CANINE GASTRIC-MOTILITY ANDEMPTYING

Background. The aim was to determine the effect of proximal gastric va gotomy on proximal gastric tone, distal gastric motility, and gastric emptying in seven conscious dogs. Methods and Results. Before vagotomy , insulin (1 unit/kg intravenously) caused a prompt decrease in proxim al gastric tone measured with a barostat and a marked increase in dist al gastric motility measured with a perfused, pressure-sensitive cathe ter, both of which were maximal at 30 minutes. Proximal gastric tone t hen returned to the control level during the ensuing 30 minutes, where as the increase in distal gastric motility continued. Gastric emptying of an inert marker, polyethylene glycol, was unchanged by insulin. Af ter vagotomy, insulin again caused a prompt emptying of marker, but th e decrease in proximal gastric tone now persisted for the entire hour afer administration of insulin. Conclusions. Relaxation of the proxima l stomach is mediated by pathways not solely dependent on the proximal gastric vagal nerves, but the ability to regain proximal gastric tone is impaired by proximal vagotomy. In contrast, vagal drive to distal gastric motility and gastric antral emptying are preserved after proxi mal gastric vagotomy.