[Effect of erythromycin on electrical activity and gastric emptying of the intrathoracic stomach after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of erythromycin on electrical activity and emptying of the intrathoracic stomach after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.


METHODS
Thirty patients undergoing esophagectomy for cancer and esophagogastrostomy above the aortic arch were divided into the study group (n=15) and the control group (n=15). Electrogastrography and radionuclide gastric emptying were examined for these patients before and 1, 3, 6, 12 months after surgery. Patients in the study group received erythromycin (0.25 g tid po) for 1 week before examination.


RESULTS
The wave amplitude (Uv), dominant frequency (CPM) and percentage of normal slow wave (%) of electrogastrogram decreased after surgery and returned to normal at the first postoperative month in the study group and the 12th postoperative month in the control group (P>0.05). Gastric emptying was significantly delayed after esophagectomy, and returned to normal one year after operation in the study group (P>0.05). However, gastric emptying remained abnormal in the control group (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Erythromycin improves electrical activity and emptying of the stomach after esophagectomy for cancer. Gastric emptying recovery later than the recovery of electrical activity, which may be related to gastric ischemia and edema.
Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Fourth Hospital, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050011, China. liujf@heinfo.net.
Jun-feng
JF
Liu
Cheng-jun
CJ
Liu
Zhi-hua
ZH
Shi
Xin-bo
XB
Liu
Tao
T
Jiang
Fu-shun
FS
Wang
Fu-min
FM
Cao
Bao-qing
BQ
Li
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D013270:Stomach / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology
D004917:Erythromycin