Alkaline reflux gastritis. Late results on a controlled trial of diagnosis and treatment

In 1977, a controlled, prospective trial was initiated to test the hypothesis that excessive enterogastric (EG) reflux was responsible for a unique postgastrectomy syndrome, "alkaline reflux gastritis." Late (42 +/- 3 months) follow-up on all treated patients (N = 14; Rx = 45 cm Roux Y limb) is reported. The following parameters were assessed in symptomatic (N = 11 nonrefluxers, 15 refluxers) and asymptomatic postgastrectomy patients (N = 9): CCK-stimulated scintographically determined EG reflux (EGRI %), intragastric (IG) concentration of bile acids (BA, mM), net bile acid reflux/hr (microM), maximum acid output (mEq/hr), intragastric pH, gastric emptying of 99Tc-labeled solids (T 1/2; minutes), gastritis score (GS = 0-15), and specific symptomotology. A significant linear relationship was noted between intragastric BA concentration and the severity of histologic gastritis in the residual gastric pouch. As a group, excessive refluxers demonstrated significantly greater IG BA concentration, net BA reflux/hour, and EGRI than did either nonrefluxers or controls. Gastritis score in this group was also greater, intragastric pH higher, and maximal acid output (MAO) lower. Gastric emptying was not different between groups. Following Roux (N = 14), reflux was eliminated early and late, pH fell, MAO increased, and gastritis improved. Early marked delays in emptying occurred but normalized late and were rarely a clinical problem. Early symptomatic results were pain eliminated in 14/14, nausea in 8/14, vomiting 11/14, bilious vomiting in 14/14. Complications were one marginal ulcer (no vagotomy), two severe delays in emptying (simultaneous Roux + vagotomy). Late symptomatic results were recurrent or persistent pain in 4/14, nausea in 7/14, vomiting in 5/14. Bilious vomiting remains eliminated.