A Quantitative Study of the Effect of Vagotomy on Gastric Secretion in the Dog.

Abstract

The authors report 12 dogs with pouches of the entire stomach constructed with intact vagus innerva-tion. Quantitative daily collections of gastric juice were made and, in addition, the secretory responses to a test meal, histamine, and intraven. insulin were detd. Transthoracic vagotomy was performed in 9 animals and the studies repeated. Vagotomy reduced the 24 hr. HCl output from 47% to 92%, averaging 77%. Peptic power was reduced in most cases. Vagotomy caused a marked decrease in secretion to histamine stimulation, and the secretory response to insulin hypoglycemia was abolished. Secretion is usually high in these animals in the fasting state, and food-taking causes a profound inhibition lasting 3-7 hrs. Before vagotomy, this is preceded by a brief augmentation. Sectioning the right or left vagus had no effect on secretion. 3 animals died of perforation or hemorrhage of an ulcer in the pouch.