The Effect of Vagotomy on the Human Pancreatic Response to Direct and Indirect Stimulation

Abstract

The pancreatic exocrine response to stimulation with secretin and pancreozymin, and to acid in the small intestine, has been studied in 29 patients with duodenal ulcer, before and after vagotomy and pyloroplasty. The bicarbonate response to the hormones decreased significantly postoperatively, while enzyme secretion was much less affected. The bicarbonate response to jejunal acidification also decreased postoperatively, although not as much as bicarbonate secretory capacity.