Vagotomy was originally introduced in the treatment of duodenal ulcer as a method for abolishing the neurogenic hypersecretion of gastric juice characteristic of this disease.1 The motor augmentor fibers of the vagus are unavoidably divided at the same time. Although there is controversy over the precise mechanisms involved, the ultimate effect is that of depressed motility characterized by delayed emptying time, dilatation, and relative atony of the stomach. The present experiment was designed to determine more precisely the immediate effect of vagotomy on the motor function of the pyloric antrum, with both electromanometric and electromyographic techniques.
Method
Ten healthy, mongrel dogs, weighing 13 to 18 kg (28.6 to 39.6 lb) were anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium and an endotracheal tube was attached to a piston respirator. A midline laparotomy was performed and, through a small anterior duodenotomy 8 cm distal to the pylorus, two latex balloons connected to catheters were