The Functional State of the Gastrointestinal Tract Before, and One and Six Years after Ulcer Surgery

Abstract

Of 44 patients operated upon for peptic ulcer and subjected to absorption tests before operation, 35 could be followed up with absorption tests 1 and 6 years after operation. The following operations had been performed on the latter: antrectomy with gastroduodenostomy in 16, antrectomy with selective vagotomy and gastroduodenostomy in 11, and other operations in 8. Six years after operation there was a statistically significant decrease in the mean value of the Schilling test, but no clear change in d-xylose absorption and no definite disturbance in fat absorption according to the faecal dry weight fat content. At the time of the 6-year follow-up examination, 7 patients had an impaired d-xylose absorption and/or fat absorption. According to the increase in the mean body weight and the haemoglobin and serum protein concentrations, the nutritive status of the whole material was improved.

Key-words:

• Absorption test
• peptic ulcer
• surgery