On Measurement of Basal Acid Output from the Stomach

Abstract

Malmström, J., Stadil, F. & Rehfeld, J. F. On measurement of basal acid output from the stomach. Scand. J. Gastroent. 1974, 9, 391-393.

In earlier studies we have found concentrations of immunoreactive gastrin in serum to decrease during gastric aspiration. For this reason spontaneous acid secretion was studied in 52 unoperated and 48 vagotomized patients. Having emptied the stomach by continuous intermittent suction for 15 minutes, four 15-minute collections of gastric juice were made. In patients with intact vagi acidity and acid output decreased slightly during the examination (p < 0.001). In vagotomized patients volume, acidity, and acid output decreased markedly (p < 0.01). The reason for this fall is unknown. In both groups basal output was significantly lower when calculated from the last 30-minute collections compared with the whole 60-minute period (p < 0.0001). It is concluded that a one-hour period is inadequate for determination of basal acid output in vagotomized patients.

Key-words::

• Basal acid output
• spontaneous gastric secretion
• vagotomy