Abstract
The following study was undertaken to determine the influence of subtotal gastric resection and double vagotomy upon gastric acidity in dogs. Portis and Portis 1 showed that the total acidity remained unaltered after subtotal gastrectomy in dogs. Hartzell 2 found a marked reduction in acid after supra-phrenic double vagotomy, but 2 years later Vanzant 3 working with the same animals reported that the acid had returned to normal values.
Complete studies have been made upon 5 dogs. Preliminary to resection and vagotomy, a Pavlov pouch was made. Then, 2 to 3 weeks later when the acidity of the pouch was stabilized, the second operation was performed. This consisted of isolation and division of the anterior and posterior vagal trunks on the abdominal portion of the esophagus and resection of the distal portion of the stomach from a point approximately 3 cm. proximal to the incisura angularis to just beyond the pyloric ring, thus insuring complete removal of the antrum and pylorus. The stump of the duodenum was closed and an anterior Polya gastro-jejunostomy was established. For the study of gastric secretion a test meal consisting of lean meat and water was used. Specimens were obtained for analysis from the intact stomach before operation; from the pouch and main stomach 12 days after the first operation; and from the pouch and gastric remnant for 6 to 12 weeks after the second operation. The samples were aspirated at hourly intervals for periods of 4 to 7 hours after the administration of the test meal and were examined for free, combined, and total acidity by titrating against N/10 sodium hydroxide. In addition, the effect of atropine upon the secretory response to a test meal was studied before and after subtotal removal of the stomach and section of the vagi.
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