Secretory Studies in Frozen Heidenhain Pouches

Abstract

Since the advent of gastric freezing as a definitive treatment of duodenal ulcer at the University of Minnesota, considerable interest has evolved concerning this procedure. Wangensteen et al (1962)⁶ have stated that local gastric hypothermia may produce a physiological gastrectomy since there is a marked reduction in acid secretion after freezing. Their laboratory investigations have demonstrated a total achlorhydria in three Heidenhain preparations with marked reduction in secretory responses in two other animals after the Heidenhain pouches were frozen. Similar data were obtained from other of their pouch preparations, and it eventually seemed feasible to apply the technique clinically.^2,3 In this regard it is estimated that 1,000 patients in the United States have currently undergone gastric freezing as definitive treatment of chronic duodenal ulcer. Prior to any clinical evaluation of gastric freezing we have felt the necessity to fulfill two fundamental propositions in our experimental laboratory. In the