EFFECT OF ORAL ERYTHROMYCIN ON DELAYED GASTRIC EMPTYING AFTER PYLORUS PRESERVING GASTRECTOMY-A CASE REPORT-

An 86-year-old woman underwent a pylorus preserving gastrectomy (PPG) for early gastric cancer at the lesser curvature. Since the 10th postoperative day, the patient complained of nausea and vomiting. Upper gastrointestinal roentgenography revealed a remarkably dilated residual stomach and delayed gastric emptying. Oral erythromycin (600mg/day) was given to the patient for two weeks. This medication improved the symptoms rapidly, and the patient started eating on the 31st postoperative day. Erythromycin is effective not only as an antibiotic but also as an agonist to cell receptors of motilin that enhances gastric emptying. We conclude that erythromycin is effective for delayed gastric emptying after PPG.