Gastric emptying before and after cholecystectomy in patients with cholecystolithiasis.
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.
Vignolo
Maria Cristina
MC
Alfa Institute of Gastroenterology, University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Savassi-Rocha
Paulo Roberto
PR
Coelho
Luiz Gonzaga Vaz
LG
Soares
Marcela Penna
MP
Cardoso-Júnior
Aloísio
A
Barbosa
Teresa Fabiola Leo
TF
Ramos
Fabiana Viana
FV
Alves
Tatiana Rodrigues
TR
Barbosa
Gerdson Magno
GM
Pinto
Daniele Cristine Gomes
DC
Resende
Clarissa de Carvalho
Cde C
Boechat
Lucas de Castro
Lde C
de Almeida
Aline Miranda
AM
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
D002210:Caprylates; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D019346:Sodium Acetate; C031492:octanoic acid