NUSRET KORUN, SADIK KILIÇTURGAY, CEYHUN İRGİL, HALİL BİLGEL, AYHAN KIZIL

Uludağ Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Genel Cerrahi A.B.D./BURSA

Abstract

The patients who had truncal vagotomy (TV)+drainage (D) or truncal vagotomy + antrectomy were evaluated retrospectively to identify the predictive factors on the development of postoperative delayed return of gastric emptying (DRGE).

Between January 1986-January 1990, the above mentioned surgical procedures were performed on 188 consecutive cases. DRGE was observed in 22 of them (11.7%). Among them 19 (86%) were in the group having truncal vagotomy + gastroenterostomy (TV+GE). The mortality rate was 1.5 % in all 188 patients and all were among 22.

Preoperative obstruction, serum albumin and potassium levels, the experience of the surgeon, surgery done as elective or at emergency were not mentioned as significant factors about the development of DRGE, but the age was a significantly important factor in the development of DRGE (p<0.005 x=6.2336 df=1). In only one case of DRGE was due to a mechanical cause.

All the cases of DRGE were supported by total parenteral nutrition. Among all, 82% of the cases of DRGE were resolved spontaneously.

Although the etiology of DRGE is not clear, it's concluded that DRGE especially seen following TV+GE operations will resolve spontaneously in time.