Evaluation of the marker technique for measurement of exocrine pancreatic secretion rate.

A secretin-cholecystokinin test was performed in 103 patients, representing both normal and reduced exocrine pancreatic function. The duodenum was intubated with a triple-lumen tube. The gastric and duodenal contents were aspirated separately and sampled in 10-min periods. An inert, water-soluble marker (58Co-vitamin Bu dissolved in isotonic saline) was infused at a constant rate into the duodenum. Exocrine panreatic secretion was stimulated by continuous intravenous infusion of secretin for 60 min and a combination of secretin and cholecystokinin for another 60min. The total recovery of the infused marker was 80%. The concentration of marker in the aspirate did not vary significantly between consecutive 10-min periods during the last 20 min of the secretin stimulation period or during the last 50 min of the combined secretin-cholecystokinin stimulation period, indicating a steady secretion rate into the duodenum. By means of the marker concentrations in the aspirate, the duodenal volumes were calculated ...