Gall bladder emptying in patients with corrosive-induced esophageal strictures

Ingestion of corrosive substances can lead to strictures of the esophagus and stomach. Cicatrization of the lower part of the esophagus can entrap vagal fibers in the process of fibrosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate gallbladder dysfunction as a sequel to vagal damage in patients with corrosive-induced esophageal strictures. The cephalic phase of gallbladder emptying was stimulated by modified sham feeding according to the chew-and-spit method. Gallbladder volume was measured by ultrasonography using the ellipsoid method after an overnight fast and every 15 min for a period of 90 min after sham feeding in 22 patients and 10 controls. Mean fasting gallbladder volume was significantly greater in patients than in controls (22.09 +/- 9.78 vs. 14.61 +/- 4.42 ml; P = 0.025). After sham feeding the gallbladder ejection fraction was significantly lower in patients than in controls (32.86 +/- 17.21 vs. 49.40 +/- 7.86%; P = 0.007). Patients with cicatrization in the distal one-third of the esophagus had a greater basal gallbladder volume (24.57 +/- 9.2 ml) and significantly lower ejection fraction (20.47 +/- 8.9%) than patients with strictures at other sites (gallbladder volume, 18.50 +/- 10.69 ml; ejection fraction, 47.48 +/- 13.3%; P = 0.001). In conclusion, patients with corrosive-induced esophageal strictures, especially those in the distal one-third, had an increased fasting gallbladder volume and decreased cephalic phase of gallbladder emptying, pointing to impaired vagal cholinergic transmission, possibly due to vagal entrapment in the cicatrization process.