Bd. Maes et al., GASTRIC-EMPTYING OF THE LIQUID, SOLID AND OIL PHASE OF A MEAL IN NORMAL VOLUNTEERS AND PATIENTS WITH BILLROTH-II GASTROJEJUNOSTOMY, European journal of clinical investigation, 28(3), 1998, pp. 197-204
Citations number
33
Categorie Soggetti
Medicine, Research & Experimental","Medicine, General & Internal
Background The relationship between gastric emptying of different phas
es of a meal in humans has only been partly studied in normal subjects
and in patients with previous gastric surgery. Methods In the present
study, gastric emptying of the liquid, solid and oil phase and the re
lationship between the phases was evaluated in 10 normal control subje
cts and in seven patients with Billroth II gastrojejunostomy using bre
ath test technology. Results Gastric emptying in normal subjects showe
d a clear separation between the emptying of the liquid, solid and oil
phase. In healthy volunteers, the liquid phase emptied in the same ma
nner in the presence of a solid phase as in the presence of an oil pha
se. In contrast, the oil phase emptied more slowly with liquids than w
ith solids. The emptying rate of the oil phase was not only inversely
related to the amount administered but was also dependent on its chemi
cal composition. Gastric emptying in patients with Billroth II gastroe
nterostomy was characterized by a complete loss of discrimination betw
een the different phases of the meal, with an extremely fast emptying
of the oil phase compared with normal control subjects. Conclusion In
normal subjects, the liquid, solid and oil phase of a meal are emptied
differently. In patients with Billroth II gastrojejunostomy, dumping
of the oil phase is the most pronounced difference from the normal phy
siology of gastric emptying. This could be one of the reasons why Bill
roth II gastrectomy may be associated with fat malabsorption.