Effect of proximal gastric vagotomy on the activity of hydrogen, potassium-stimulated ATPase in the gastric mucosa of patients with duodenal ulcer.

OBJECTIVE

To find out if there was a correlation between hydrogen, potassium stimulated ATPase (H,K-ATPase) activity and gastric acid secretion in patients with duodenal ulcers after proximal gastric vagotomy.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

Regional referral center.

SUBJECTS: 61 patients with chronic duodenal ulcers divided into three groups: patients who had not been operated on but had exacerbations of their symptoms (n = 39): those who had been treated successfully by proximal gastric vagotomy either less than 1 year ago (n = 7) or greater than or equal to 1 year ago (n = 9): and those patients who presented with recurrent ulceration after proximal gastric vagotomy (n = 6).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measurement of H,K-ATPase activity and gastric acid secretion.

RESULTS

There was a decrease in H,K-ATPase activity after effective vagotomy, and enzyme activity was the lowest in patients who had been operated on 1 year ago. Both H,K-ATPase and gastric acid secretion were decreased by proximal gastric vagotomy.

CONCLUSION

There may be a gradual recovery of gastric H,K-ATPase activity with time after proximal gastric vagotomy.