Biliary manometry in dogs. Influence of selective electrostimulation of the right and left vagus nerves.

Acute biliary manometry was performed in 10 dogs during operation. The sphincter of Oddi was a high-pressure zone with phasic activity. No active contractions were observed either in the common bile duct or in the gallbladder. Electrostimulation of the right and left thoracic vagal branches increased bile flow, decreased the activity of the sphincter of Oddi and gallbladder pressure. Stimulation of the right vagus gave a more complex response as the initial inhibition of the activity of the sphincter of Oddi was followed by an increased motor activity. Intra-arterial cholecystokinin injection increased bile flow, inhibited the activity of the sphincter of Oddi, whereas gallbladder pressure remained unchanged.