Correlative Study of Postgastrectomized Patients

Several different operative procedures may be used in the treatment of ulceration of the duodenum or stomach with a very low ulcer recurrence rate. With the recognition of this fact, physicians have started to focus their attention on the undesirable sequelae of such operative procedures. A consideration of postgastrectomy abnormalities should include recurrent ulcer, afferent loop syndrome, biliary regurgitation, efferent loop obstruction, hypoglycemia, anemia, early postcibal vasomotor symptoms, diarrhea, and undernutrition. The occurrence of these undesirable sequelae has been previously discussed. 1 While the presence or absence of all of these abnormalities was determined, this study is primarily concerned with early postcibal symptoms, diarrhea, and undernutrition. The following conclusions were derived from a review of the rather extensive literature on postgastrectomy problems which has accumulated in the past several years. 1. The term "dumping syndrome" has a variety of meanings when used to describe postgastrectomy ailments. Although Mix 16 in