Reservoir effect of esophagojejunostomy after gastrectomy determined by means of radionuclides

The substitute reservoir emptying was determined quantitatively in 16 patients with total gastrectomy by means of the radioisotope method. The continuity was restored in 15 patients by an entero-anastomosis in modification according to Graham and in one patient by esophagoduoenostomy. The investigation was carried out in 11 patients with total gastrectomy in upright position and in 4 patients in lying position. As control group there were used 14 normal subjects. Emptying curves, radioactive half-lives and emptying rates showed a clear acceleration of the emptying. The behavior of emptying became normalized in lying position. A constant relation of these findings could not be found out compared with the nutritional state or the postprandial complaints. (author)