THE RÔLE OF THE DUODENAL SECRETIONS IN THE PREVENTION OF EXPERIMENTAL JEJUNAL ULCER

Abstract

When the operation of surgical duodenal drainage was performed and the duodenum drained into the stomach in a manner which provided for adequate stimulation and free drainage the typical ulcers did not form in the jejunum. Gastric analysis showed that the total acidity of the gastric contents was definitely below the threshold value for the digestion of living tissues as determined by Dragstedt. When the duodenum was drained into the jejunum below the gastro-jejunostomy ulcers did not occur. Bile was often found in the gastric contents, indicating that jejunal contents may regurgitate into the stomach after operation. The acidity curve varied with the amount of duodenal regurgitation, being very high when no bile was present and lower as more regurgitation occurred. Marked weight loss and anorexia were frequent when the duodenal secretions were drained into the stomach but not when they were drained into the jejunum.[long dash]C. M. Wilhelmj.