Gastric emptying rate of solids is reduced in a group of ileostomy patients

Feedback inhibition from the colon acts as a potent inhibitor of gastrointe stinal motility via an array of gut peptides and neural pathways. The effec t of total colonectomy on gastric emptying was assessed in five healthy ile ostomy patients (<5 cm ileal resection) and five matched controls. Each sub ject consumed two isoenergetic test meals of contrasting fat-carbohydrate r atio in random order. Emptying of solids was measured using the [C-13]octan oic acid breath test, and liquid emptying was assessed after oral dosing wi th paracetamol, Ileostomist subjects exhibited an increased half-emptying t ime for solids (P = 0.047), which included components of an increased gastr ic lag time (P = 0.004) and a reduction in the linear emptying rate (P = 0. 003). There was no difference in the pattern of liquid emptying between sub ject groups. In conclusion, the gastric emptying rate of solids was reduced in ileostomy patients compared with controls.