Observations on the isolated pyloric segment.

Abstract

The technic of isolating the pyloric segment from the remaining portion of the stomach in the dog was as follows: Anterior gastroenterostomy was performed between the fundus and jejunum 25 cm. aboral of the pyloric sphincter. The stomach was divided through two planes: first, through the sphincter pylori and second, through the pyloro-fundic region. The pyloric end of the intermediary segment thus created was brought into the wound as a fistula, while the other three cut ends were closed. By this means a closed pyloric pouch of stomach was established, communicating only with the skin surface of the animal. By means of the gastrojejunostomy the animal was fed and kept alive. (See diagram of experiment No. 1.) Five experiments were carried out according to this technic. Each animal lived from 10 days to 4 months, or long enough to determine (1) the acidity of the pyloric segment under the above experimental conditions, (2) the effects of acetylcholin, pilocarpin, and adrenalin respectively, upon the secretion of the pyloric segment, (3) the motor function of the residual stomach, and (4) the histology of the fundic and pyloric mucosae. The conclusions were as follows : (1) The reaction of the secretion from the pyloric segment was in every instance strongly acid in terms of litmus. (2) Acetylcholin and pilocarpin produced no appreciable increase in the amount or variation in the acidity of the pyloric secretion. Pilocarpin appeared to be followed by a more mucoid secretion. The adrerialin administration was followed by a distinct decreax in the amount of pyloric secretion. (3) The residual stomach emptied within 2½ hours through the gastrojejunostomy, in terms of the barium meal and X-ray. (4) Chief cells predominated in the vestibular portion, the aboral end of the body of the stomach, and parietal cells in the juxtapyloric mucosa.