Electromyographic activity of the gastrointestinal tract following cholecystectomy

Electromyographic activity of the stomach and small bowel, both in the fasting and fed states, was evaluated in the postoperative period of 8 patients subjected to cholecystectomy. The migrating motor complex (MMC) was recorded on the first postoperative day in 5 patients, on the second day in 2, and on the third day in 1. Vomiting occurred in 1 patient in whom the MMC was recorded only on the third postoperative day. Feeding caused substitution of the MMC by the fed pattern in the stomach and small bowel in all patients. It is concluded from this study that gastric and small bowel motility is normal on the first 2 days of the postoperative period in most patients subjected to cholecystectomy.