[Duodenogastric reflux after vagotomy and pyloroplasty (author's transl)]

In 27 patients after selective or truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty the occurrence of duodenogastric reflux was checked by two methods, by the measurement of Bromsulphalein (BSP)-concentration in the gastric aspirate after BSP was given intravenously and by instillation of a barium meal in the second part of the duodenum followed by upper GI-series. In 20 of 23 patients reflux was recorded radiologically, in 18 of 27 patients reflux was shown by the BSP-Method. Proven bile reflux was associated with major postoperative discomfort, such as epigastric fullness, nausea and epigastric pain, it was also associated with gastritis as shown by microscopic examination of biopsies taken from the antrum. It is recommended to consider duodenogastric reflux as a possible reason for patients complaints after vagotomy and pyloroplasty. To avoid those complaints the preference of proximal gastric vagotomy without pyloroplasty is supported, if preoperative gastric emptying is not impaired.