Alterations in Muscular and Electrical Activity of the Stomach Following Vagotomy

Abstract

IN 1943, Dragstedt and Owens¹ introduced bilateral section of the vagus nerves as a therapeutic procedure for treatment of duodenal ulcer. Since that time, this operation with modifications has become firmly established as the procedure of choice in the surgical treatment of duodenal ulcer. Bilateral vagotomy not only eliminated the cephalic phase of gastric secretion, thus providing therapeutic benefit to the duodenal ulcer patient, but also abolished the cephalic phase of gastric motor activity. At the time vagotomy was introduced as a therapeutic procedure a wide difference of opinion existed about the long-term effect of bilateral vagal section on gastric motor behavior. The work of McCrea et al² indicated that there was a more rapid initial emptying time of the stomach following vagal section but that the total emptying time was essentially unchanged. Meek and Herrin's³ series of experiments indicated that the consistency of the meal was