Alteration of the Roux Stasis Syndrome by an Isolated Roux Limb: Correlation of Slow Waves and Clinical Course

The Roux-Y stasis syndrome after antrectomy and vagotomy has been well described. Delayed gastric emptying after vagotomy and antrectomy with Roux-Y anastomosis has been attributed to loss of the duodenal pacemaker and to the effects of retrograde slow-wave activity arising from distal small bowel pacemakers. Small bowel contractions are closely coupled with slow-wave activity. Transection and anastomosis of the small bowel distal to the jejuno-jejunostomy has been shown to electrically isolate the Roux limb from distal small bowel pacemakers. Using a canine model, a vagotomy and hemigas-trectomy with Roux-Y were performed in five dogs using the standard operation (control); in four dogs (experimental), an additional transection and reanastomosis of the jejunum 25 cm distal to the Y anastomosis of the Roux limb was performed. All specimens had six electrodes implanted along the Roux limb at 5-cm intervals, used for weekly analysis of the jejunal slow-wave activity. The isolated loop cohort had reduced incidence of retrograde slow waves, reduced emesis, improved gastric emptying by upper gastrointestinal series, and reduced gastric pouch size at autopsy. Adding a distal transection and anastomosis, thus creating an isolated Roux-Y segment, may improve the course of the Roux stasis syndrome.