[Fiber optic measurements with the Bilitec probe for quantifying bile reflux after aboral stomach resection]

Nonphysiological alkaline reflux after partial gastrectomy may produce a range of gastrointestinal disorders. The Bilitec probe is a fibroptic sensor that, for the first time, makes in vivo measurement of this reflux possible, by assay of spectrophotometric absorption of bilirubin. We studied 20 patients who had undergone partial gastrectomy for benign peptic ulcer disease. Ten patients had Billroth II reconstruction and ten had Roux-en-Y reconstruction. In the Roux-en-Y Group we found almost complete control of symptoms and no objective evidence of alkaline reflux as measured by the Bilitec probe. In the Billroth II group we detected by the fiberoptic sensor significant bile reflux into the stomach remnant. Based on these results we recommend Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy as the method of choice for reconstruction after distal gastric resection.