Delayed gastric emptying and its relationship to symptoms of "gas float" after antireflux surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the association between gastric motor function before and after operation and the development of symptoms of bloating after antireflux operations.


METHODS
Open study.


METHODS
University department of surgery.


METHODS
81 patients with long-standing severe gastro-oesophageal reflux before antireflux operations.


METHODS
Gastric emptying of liquids and solids before (n = 81) and after (n = 47) antireflux operations.


METHODS
Pre- and postoperative gastric emptying times, and in reported symptoms of bloating and other postfundoplication complaints.


RESULTS
31 patients had fundoplication alone, 38 had highly selective vagotomy and fundoplication, and 12 had an Angelchik prosthesis inserted. Delayed gastric emptying of solids before operation was associated with symptoms of bloating (particularly postprandial pain and feeling sated) after operation. Delayed emptying of liquids correlated with transient symptoms only. Inability to belch and relieve bloating by belching were associated with postoperative delayed gastric emptying as well. There was no relationship between solid gastric emptying parameters and the final outcome of the operation as judged by the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Abnormalities of gastric motor function before operation are associated with symptoms of bloating after antireflux operations, and may therefore play a part in causing the symptoms.
Lundell
L R
LR
Department of Surgery, Royal Adelaide Hospital, University of Adelaide, Australia.
Myers
J C
JC
Jamieson
G G
GG
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology; D004884:Eructation / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005414:Flatulence / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005502:Food; D005740:Gases; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000502:physiology*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000009:adverse effects; D013270:Stomach / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014629:Vagotomy, Proximal Gastric / Q000009:adverse effects; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014867:Water
D005740:Gases; D014867:Water