title: Gastric emptying before and after cholecystectomy in patients with cholecystolithiasis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the present study was to measure gastric emptying time of solids and semisolids in dyspeptic individuals with cholecystolithiasis before and 6 months after cholecystectomy in order to determine whether cholecystectomy interferes with gastric emptying.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, self-pairing study was conducted on 29 patients selected according to appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria. Gastric emptying time of solids and semisolids was determined before and six months after laparoscopic cholecystectomy by the 13C-octanoic acid and 13C-acetate breath tests, respectively. The samples were analyzed by infrared spectrometry. The gastric retention time (lag phase) and gastric emptying half-time of solid and semisolid were determined and the results obtained before and after surgery were compared in the same patient. In addition, the effects of surgery on dyspeptic symptoms were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences (p>0.05) in gastric retention time and gastric emptying half-time of solid and semisolid test meals were observed before and after cholecystectomy. Dyspeptic symptoms (pain, upper abdominal gases, early satiety, nausea and vomiting) improved after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic cholecystectomy does not interfere with the gastric emptying time of solids or semisolids in dyspeptic individuals with cholecystolithiasis.
authors.affiliation: Alfa Institute of Gastroenterology, University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Vignolo
authors.forename: Paulo Roberto
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Savassi-Rocha
authors.forename: Luiz Gonzaga Vaz
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Coelho
authors.forename: Marcela Penna
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.forename: Aloísio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cardoso-Júnior
authors.forename: Teresa Fabiola Leo
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.forename: Fabiana Viana
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: Tatiana Rodrigues
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.forename: Gerdson Magno
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.forename: Daniele Cristine Gomes
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Clarissa de Carvalho
authors.initials: Cde C
authors.lastname: Resende
authors.forename: Lucas de Castro
authors.initials: Lde C
authors.lastname: Boechat
authors.forename: Aline Miranda
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: de Almeida
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001944:Breath Tests; D002210:Caprylates; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D002763:Cholecystectomy; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D042882:Gallstones / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000502:physiology*; D018589:Gastroparesis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D019346:Sodium Acetate; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared
chemical_list: D002210:Caprylates; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D019346:Sodium Acetate; C031492:octanoic acid