Serum Gastrin and Gastric Acid Secretion before and after Proximal Gastric Vagotomy

Abstract

Schrumpf. E., Roland. M. & Liavag. I Serum gastrin and gastric acid secretion before and after proximal gastric vagotomy. Scand. J. Gastroent. 1974 9, 115–118.

Serial determinations of fasting gastrin concentration and gastric acid secretion were performed in 8 duodenal ulcer patients before and 3, 6, and 12 months after proximal gastric vagotomy. Kasai acid output and acid output after pentagastrin were reduced by a mean of 80 per cent and 59 per cent at 3 months. Concomitantly basal gastric pH increased significantly and so did fasting gastrin concentration. As time passed a moderate increase in gastric secretion was observed, and simultaneously a slight decrease in basal gastric pH and also in fasting gastrin concentration was found. These changes were, however, not significant in this small series. It thus seems that the acidity of the gastric juice is an important factor in determining the fasting gastrin level in these patients.

Key-words::

• Duodenal ulcer
• gastric secretion
• gastrin
• vagotomy