[Photo-optical observation on gastric motility after antrum preserving gastrectomy (author's transl)]

The movement of the stomach after gastrectomy was studied by cine-fluoroscopic and photo-optical technique in patients undergoing pylorus preserving gastrectomy (pyloric canal being preserved approximately 1.5 cm in 8 cases; group A) or antrum preserving gastrectomy (pyloric antrum being preserved 3-5 cm in 16 cases; group B). All patients were operated on in our clinic for a benign lesion located near the angle of the stomach.

1) In the early postoperative period, the oral gastric remnants showed remarkable dilatation in group A. The dilatation was also observed in group B, but less prominent. 2) For the recovery from the gastric dilatation and reappearance of gastric motility, it took much more time in group A than in group B. 3) Co-ordinated movements across the anastomotic site were recognized about one month after operation in group B and about two months in group A. 4) Antiperistalsis at the preserved antrum during an early postoperative period was observed in 2 of 16 cases in group B. The antiperistalsis in the two cases turned into normo-peristalsis in about two months. 5) From the results obtained, the preserved antrum showed an excellent functional drainage effect and plays an important role for the transportation of the gastric content. 6) In conclusion, antrum preserving gastrectomy results in a good postoperative gastric motility and is an excellent operative method for the benign lesions located near the angle of the stomach.