Effect of truncal vagotomy on functional and morphological changes produced by duodenogastric reflux.

The effects of truncal vagotomy on the functional and morphological changes produced by duodenogastric reflux have been studied in the dog. Duodenogastric reflux caused progressive damage to gastric mucosa, hypersecretion of acid to pentagastrin, and a hypergastrinemic response to a standard meal. Truncal vagotomy barely altered the mucosal changes produced by reflux, but it did prevent antral gland hyperplasia and reduced the acid and gastrin secretory responses. These findings are clinically reassuring in that vagotomy effectively prevented the hypersecretory state produced by duodenogastric reflux.