The use of retrievable electrodes for recording gastric myoelectric activity after spontaneous gastric dilatation volvulus in dogs.

Gastric myoelectric activity was measured in 10 dogs with spontaneous gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). Myoelectric activity was recorded with temporary, retrievable wire electrodes placed on the serosal surface of the stomach after derotation and tube gastrostomy. Gastric myoelectric activity was recorded for 1 hour daily, beginning with the day of surgery (less than 24 hours), 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, and 168 hours after surgery. Recordings were also obtained for 1 hour daily after feeding, beginning 24 hours after surgery. Bradygastria was the predominate dysrhythmia immediately after surgery and at hour 24. The mean slow wave frequency was more than normal at hours 48 to 168 due to an increase in tachygastria and arrhythmias. The slow wave frequency significantly decreased after feeding at hours 120 and 144. The overall mean percentage of dysrhythmias was significantly decreased after feeding at hour 72 only. The mean percentage of spike activity ranged from 37.7 +/- 12.5 to 75.7 +/- 6.2 throughout the 8-day study period. Thus, gastric myoelectric activity was disrupted in these dogs with spontaneous GDV and subsequent tube gastrostomy. Feeding did not greatly diminish these dysrhythmias.