Microscopic examination of stools after partial gastrectomy.
The present study was undertaken to determine the frequency with which undigested meat fibres in the stool could be found after partial gastrectomy. A sample of stool was examined in 61 patients who had undergone a partial gastrectomy and in 92 control patients. The age ranges and average ages of both groups were similar. The stools of 77 of the 92 control patients contained well-digested meat fibres, 14 showed partially digested fibres, and one patient had completely undigested meat fibres. In the postgastrectomy group, 44 of 61 patients had well-digested meat fibres and 17 showed partially digested fibres in their stools. None showed undigested fibres. The present study demonstrated that the finding of undigested meat fibres is as infrequent in postgastrectomy patients as in control patients. If undigested meat fibres are found in the stools of postgastrectomy patients, it is suggestive of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.
D005243:Feces; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008286:Malabsorption Syndromes / Q000209:etiology*; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
D011506:Proteins
N Engl J Med. 1961 Jan 12;264:85-7
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