Fasting GI myoelectric activity, including the return of MMCs and the presence of gastric dysrhythmias, does not accurately predict fed-state gastrointestinal GI function following abdominal surgery.
ObjectiveThe authors investigate the recovery of gastrointestinal motility in the fed and fasted state after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy.
Summary Background DataClinical recovery after laparoscopic cholecystectomy is known to be more rapid than after conventional open cholecystectomy. However, the actual effect of a laparoscopic approach on gastrointestinal motility, particularly fed-state motility, is not well investigated.
MethodsLaparoscopic (LAP, n = 6) or open (OPEN, n = 6) cholecystectomy was performed in 12 dogs. Bipolar recording electrodes were placed on the antrum, small intestine, and the transverse and descending colon, and fasting myoelectric data were recorded after operation. Solid meal gastric emptying studies were performed before surgery and on postoperative days 1 and 2. Transit time studies were performed using 10 radiopaque markers.
ResultsGastric emptying was significantly delayed in the OPEN group at 120 minutes on postoperative day 1 compared with pre-operative emptying (p < 0.05), but was not delayed on postoperative day 2. Gastric emptying was not delayed in the LAP group after operation. Transit time was the same between groups. Gastric dysrhythmias were more frequent on postoperative day 3 (p < 0.05) in the OPEN group. There were no significant differences in the presence, cycle length, or propagation velocity of the migrating motor complex on any postoperative day. Discrete or continuous electrical response activity in the colon was observed by postoperative day 1 in both groups.
ConclusionsFed-state gastric motility is the only parameter for which laparoscopic cholecystectomy showed an improvement in postoperative recovery. Recovery of fasted gastrointestinal motility in dogs is equally rapid after either operation.
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The potential benefits of using a laparoscopic approach to colon resection are not clearly confirmed by these data. While such an approach may possibly result in shorter hospitalization, it appears to offer at best only modest increases in the rapidity of recovery of gastrointestinal function.
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