Gastric emptying rate measurement after vertical banded gastroplasty

Background: In vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG), a small proximal gastric pouch is created, which is believed to fill rapidly and to empty slowly. Methods: in 13 patients who underwent VBG, gastric emptying rate was measured. A radiolabelled solid test meal was used before and 2 weeks after operation. From a region of interest above the whole stomach, the proximal pouch and the distal stomach, half emptying time as well as retention percentage were derived. Results: All patients experienced early satiety and gastric fullness after ingestion of a small test meal. The proximal pouch emptied rapidly. The evacuation of the test meal from the whole gastric region as well as the distal stomach were not altered significantly by the operation. Conclusion: VBG is a safe operation which reduced weight significantly Early satiety, however, induced by this technique, cannot be explained alone by slow emptying of the proximal pouch. The nature of the outlet of the pouch as well as the behavior of its wall must be considered.