Assessment of gastric emptying function after gastrectomy using a real-time ¹³C breath test

Effectiveness of gastric emptying after pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) remains unclear and a method for continuous assessment is needed. We assessed post-PPG gastric emptying with a continuous real-time ¹³C breath test (BreathID system, Oridion, Israel).

Gastric emptying function was assessed by ¹³C breath test in 12 post-PPG patients and 9 post-distal gastrectomy (DG) patients. Continuous ¹³C-acetic acid breath test was performed using the BreathID system. Endoscopic study was also completed.

Diarrhea was significantly less common in PPG than DG patients (p=0.021). No other questionnaire items and endoscopic findings showed a significant difference. In the ¹³C-acetic acid breath test, the gastric emptying coefficient (GEC) was significantly greater in PPG than DG patients (p=0.025). No other test parameters showed a significant difference.

Emptying function in the remnant stomach was assessed successfully by the continuous ¹³C-acetic acid breath test. A greater GEC suggested better gastric emptying in PPG patients.