EFFECTS OF FIFTY PER CENT GASTRECTOMY ALONE AND COMBINED WITH VAGOTOMY: Comparison of Gastric Secretory Responses in Esophageal-Fistula Dogs and Man; Landmarks for Fifty per Cent Resection

A STANDARD routine for studying the effects of various surgical procedures upon the acidity of the gastric contents of ulcer patients has been used in this clinic for several years. Previous reports 1 have dealt with gastric acidity under fasting (basal) conditions and in response to neurogenic and chemical stimuli in normal persons and in ulcer patients. Secretory responses have been studied before and after gastric resections of various extent, alone and combined with sympathectomy or vagotomy. The clinical and laboratory results following removal of approximately 50% of the stomach combined with vagotomy indicate that of all the combinations studied, the best protection against the development of gastrojejunal ulceration is afforded by this operation. Similar investigations on dogs have been carried out simultaneously with the clinical studies. Previous papers from the experimental laboratory discussed the assessment of gastric secretory responses in general, 2 the effects of 50% gastrectomy combined with