Computer analysis of orally propagated contractions in canine small intestine after Billroth-II gastrectomy.

The aims of the study were to characterize an unusual motor pattern with orally propagated intestinal contractions occurring after subtotal gastrectomy and to clarify if orally propagated contractions also occur during the normal fasted and fed motor pattern in intact dogs. Jejunal motility was recorded with multiple closely spaced extraluminal transducers. Contractile patterns were analyzed by a special computerized method. Following a Billroth-II gastrectomy without additional vagotomy, the migrating motor complex was often disrupted and replaced by a motor pattern that consisted of contractions propagating aborally and retrograde. The propagation velocity was significantly faster compared with that of phase III contraction waves. In intact dogs, both the fasted and fed motor patterns showed a negligible number of orally propagated contractions. These results show that it is possible to differentiate between aborally and orally propagating contractions by a computerized method. Orally propagated contractions occur frequently after subtotal gastrectomy with gastroenterostomy but are an uncommon feature in intact dogs.