[Protective barrier and acid-producing function of the stomach after selective proximal vagotomy]

To evaluate the protective function of the gastric mucosa in 435 patients with pyloroduodenal ulcers, the authors applied the biochemical method for studying the gastric contents, which consisted of tests for the level of total glycoprotein and their fractions (hexoses, sialic acid) conducted before and after selective proximal vagotomy (SPV). The acid-secreting and neutralizing function of the stomach was appraised by the electrometric method, intragastric pH measurement. It was found that SPV produces a stable inhibiting effect on the acid-secreting function of the stomach in maintained protective function of the gastric mucosa, both in the immediate and in the long-term period. SPV has a favourable effect on the protective barrier of the gastric mucosa in the postoperative period.