The effects of Roux-en-Y limb length on gastric emptying and enterogastric reflux in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of Roux-en-Y jejunal limb length on gastric emptying and enterogastric reflux.


METHODS
Seventy male Wistar rats were submitted to antrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction and then were divided into two groups of 35 animals. Group A, short limb (7.5 cm) and Group B, standard limb (15 cm). Group A and B were subdivided into five subgroups each in order to study enterogastric reflux at 30 and 60 minutes and to evaluate gastric emptying at 5, 10 and 15 minutes. In order to measure gastric emptying and enterogastric reflux, radiotracers 99m Tc-Phytate and 99m Tc-DISIDA were respectively used.


RESULTS
For gastric emptying, the radiotracer concentration was lower in Group A than in Group B after five minutes. The enterogastric reflux was present, but there were no significant differences between enterogastric reflux indexes concerning both A and B Groups.


CONCLUSIONS
A standard Roux limb, besides being unable to protect the stomach from the enterogastric reflux, may become a functional barrier for gastric emptying.
Dutra
Robson Azevedo
RA
Department of Surgery and Anatomy, University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil. robsonmarcia@netsite.com.br
Araújo
Wemberton Martins
WM
Andrade
José Ivan de
JI
D000713:Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D004383:Duodenogastric Reflux / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000379:methods; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000502:physiology*; D007583:Jejunum / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors