Gastric Emptying in Duodenogastric Reflux

Abstract

A cet1ain degree of duodenogastric reflux is physiological and occurs in normal individuals in both the fasting and post­ prandial states. Physiological reflux in the fasting state occurs during phase!, II and III of interdigestive migrating motor complex and is maximal during phase II when the gall bladder contracts .

When the degree of reflux changes from a normal phenomenon to an abnonnal event, is a matter of controversy. Diagnosis of primary duodenogastric reflux is still a difficult task because there is neither specific clinical picture nor diagnostic tests to full confirmation. In this study 20 patients with suggestive symptoms of reflux ha:dshown increase sodium ion concentration above 50mmolll (74.6±17.9) and a large volume of bile stained gastric secretion. The control group had sodium ion concentration below 50mmolll (30.1±7.2). Superficial erosions were present in 15 (75%) patients and lower-end oesophagi tis in 3 (15%) of patients. However, these findings are non- specific and may present in functional dyspepsia. Then, gastric emptying time was studied using real-time ultrasonography in both patients and control groups. Full emptying time of stomach in patients' group was 67.5±21.7 while in the control group was 68.0 ±22.5. The difference was statistically insignificant (P>0.05).