[Modification of gastric emptying after a selective proximal vagotomy. Barium and isotope studies]

The study of gastric emptying by isotopic and barium feeding, in 43 patients, before and 6 months after highly selective vagotomy, showed no retention after this type of operation. Whereas during the first 45 minutes following ingestion of the test meal, there was no modification of emptying, a significant acceleration thereafter was demonstrated by both methods. The isotopic meal allows continuous study of gastric emptying which appears to be more regular after the operation. There was no difference in gastric emptying between patients suffering from post-prandial gastric fullness, mild diarrhea or dumping syndrome.