Double-blind crossover trial of prostaglandin E2 in postgastrectomy reflux gastritis

Excessive Enterogastric reflux following partial gastrectomy is believed to be responsible for bilious regurgitation, vomiting, nausea, and epigastric pain. At endoscopy, striking erythema and inflammatory changes of the gastric mucosa may be seen. The nonsurgical treatment for this syndrome is unsatisfactory. Because of the potential pathogenetic role of regurgitating bile acids, lysolecithin, and pancreatic secretions, it seemed relevant to find out whether prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in a dose of 0.5 mg qid could protect the gastric mucosa from further damage and thereby lead to symptomatic improvement. The results of this controlled doubled-blind crossover trial, comparing PGE2 and placebo, in the treatment of postgastrectomy reflux gastritis reveal no significant differences between PGE2 and placebo with regard to symptoms, endoscopic features, and histologic evidence of inflammatory changes. Thus, prostaglandin E2 in the dose used appears incapable of improving postgastrectomy reflux gastritis in patients with mild to moderate degrees of this entity.