LONG-TERM CHANGES IN THE SERUM GASTRIN-LE VELS AFTER PROXIMAL GASTRIC-VAGOTOMY

Changes in serum gastrin levels in the late postoperative period have been studied in 24 patients with non-stenotic duodenal ulcer who under went Proximal Gastric Vagotomy. Twenty healthy volunteers were used as a control group. Serum gastrin levels were determined under basal con ditions and after a high protein meal stimulation. Both measurements w ere done in the preoperative, early postoperative (12th day) and late postoperative periods (X = 5,5 yrs.). Regarding basal serum gastrin le vels, the results show mean values of 46.2 pg/ml in the preoperative, 61.6 pg/ml in the early postoperative, 73.9 pg/ml in the late postoper ative and 51 pg/ml in the control group. Early and late postoperative period values show statistical significant differences when compared w ith preoperative values (p<0,05), but not with the control group ones. Stimulated gastrin levels show mean values of 75.7 pg/ml in the preop erative, 99.1 pg/ml in the early postoperative, 134.1 pg/ml in the lat e postoperative and 73.4 pg/ml in the control group. Late postoperativ e values show statistical significant differences when compared with p reoperative and early postoperative values (p<0.05), and also when com pared with the control group (p<0.05). Possible causes and the physiop athological effects of these variations are discussed.