Effects of the Y‐U Pyloroplasty on Gastric Emptying and Duodenogastric Reflux in the Dog

Abstract

A Y-U pyloroplasty was performed on five healthy adult dogs. Gastric emptying half times (t1/2 GE) of a canned food meal were measured by scintigraphy three times before surgery and three times from 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. Fluoroscopic studies of gastric and duodenal motility were made before surgery and 3, 7, and 35 days after surgery. Clinical observations were made daily throughout the study. Gross and histologic evaluations of the gastroesophageal and pyloric regions were performed at the termination of the study. The t1/2 GE was significantly decreased after surgery. By positive contrast fluoroscopy, the vigor of antral contractions was seen to be decreased in three of the five dogs. On days 7 and 35, fluoroscopic findings were comparable to preoperative studies. Duodenogastric reflux was recognized fluoroscopically in three dogs on four different occasions. This may reflect normal reflux patterns in the dog. No gastrointestinal problems were evident after surgery in four dogs. Reflux esophagitis developed in one dog after surgery, which resolved with therapy. Studies of the Y-U pyloroplasty after 2 months indicated that it decreased gastric emptying time of solid food. Results of postmortem examination showed no abnormal gross or histopathologic changes of esophageal, gastric, or proximal duodenal tissues.

Comparison of the Effect of Laparoscopic and Conventional Pyloric Surgery on Gastric Emptying in Dogs

“…In our study, the total gastric emptying time varied between 5 and 11 h in the preoperative period. Other studies have reported a complete gastric emptying time of around 5–15 h in normal dogs and a great individual variability in these results 5,14–16 . The variability of gastric emptying times obtained in this study could be influenced by different factors, such as animal breed, age, sex, or size 14,16 …”

“…Nevertheless, the good results of pyloric surgery in dogs by conventional surgical approach have already been established by both research 14,17,19,20,23,42,43 and clinical studies. 1,4,5,13,32,33,44 In conclusion, we evaluated 20 dogs after conventional and laparoscopic pyloric surgery and concluded that a laparoscopic technique appears to be as effective as the open technique for accelerating gastric emptying. It can be postulated that laparoscopic surgery (e.g., laparoscopic Heineke-Mikulicz pyloroplasty) may offer an added advantage of decreasing gastric emptying time in dogs.…”

“…Our results do not state that the decreased gastric emptying time obtained in this study would occur when treating clinically ill dogs. Nevertheless, the good results of pyloric surgery in dogs by conventional surgical approach have already been established by both research 14,17,19,20,23,42,43 and clinical studies 1,4,5,13,32,33,44 …”

“…Other studies have reported a complete gastric emptying time of around 5-15 h in normal dogs and a great individual variability in these results. 5,[14][15][16] The variability of gastric emptying times obtained in this study could be influenced by different factors, such as animal breed, age, sex, or size. 14,16 We have established that laparoscopic surgery could be safely applied to the treatment of gastric outlet obstructions in dogs.…”

“…The diagnosis is based on the history, physical examination, endoscopic evaluations, radiographic or fluoroscopic findings, and results of histologic examinations. 1 Radiological studies help confirm the diagnosis of gastric emptying abnormalities, [2][3][4] and radioisotope studies, [5][6][7][8] barium-impregnated polyethylene spheres (BIPS), [9][10][11][12] liquid barium, 13 and barium-food mixtures [14][15][16][17] have been used to evaluate the rate of gastric emptying time in dogs.…”