Ulcer Risk in a Duodeno-gastric Antireflux Operation in Dogs

Abstract

Duodenogastric reflux is a possible pathogenetic mechanism in some type I gastric ulcers. An antireflux operation is therefore a logical procedure but involves the risk of marginal ulceration. To examine this risk, the following study was performed: 18 dogs were divided into 3 groups of 6. One group had an antireflux operation performed (AR), one had AR plus parietal cell vagotomy (AR + PCV), and the third was a control group that was given daily injections of 40 mg repository histamine. All control dogs developed ulcers after 7–84 days, mean 37 days, of histamine. Three dogs in the AR group developed ulcers spontaneously 55–92 days postoperatively, whereas none of the AR + PCV group developed ulcers spontaneously 72–108 days postoperatively. After histamine injection two of the remaining three AR dogs developed ulcers after 3–4 days of stimulation, and three of the six AR + PCV dogs developed ulcers after 4–5 days of stimulation. It is concluded that the AR operation is heavily ulcer-prone and that PCV does not protect sufficiently against ulceration.

Key-words:

• Antireflux operation
• dogs
• duodenogastric reflux
• histamine
• parietal cell vagotomy
• peptic ulcer