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Background/Aims: After gastrectomy, patients often experience various gastrointestinal symptoms due to the rapid emptying of ingested food into the small intestine. Symptoms of the postgastrectomy syndrome, however, decrease as time passes. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of sensory function of the small intestine in postgastrectomy patients. Methods: Liquid meal loading test and balloon distension stimuli test were carried out in 39 postgastrectomy patients and 32 healthy controls. The polyethylene balloon was advanced to intestine, 10 cm apart from anastomosis in patients and 3rd portion of duodenum in controls. Sensory function was assessed by scoring perception for nausea, fullness, and abdominal discomfort or pain during random-order stimulus of 20, 40, and 60 ml of balloon inflation. Results: The maximum tolerable volume of liquid meal intake for postgastrectomy patients was significantly less than that of the controls fp<0.05). Twelve of the 26 patients, who ingested less than normal range, had symptoms of the postgastrectomy syndrome. Total sensation scores after balloon distension stimuli were significantly lower than those of the controls. The type of gastrectomy and the postsurgical duration did not affect the maximum tolerable volume of liquid meal and total sensation scores after balloon distension stimuli. Conclusions: In comparison to healthy controls, postgastrectomy patients showed an obviously lower maximum tolerable volume of liquid meal, in addition to being significantly less perceptive of small intestine to distension stimuli. This decrease of small intestinal perception is deduced to be part of the adaptation to rapid emptying of ingested food into the small intestine in such patients. (The Korean Journal of Gastrointestinal Motility 2003;9:30-36)
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