Sutures and Wound Repair/ General Surgery (ABSA) Practice Test

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Why is pyloroplasty commonly performed after a vagotomy?

To enhance gastric drainage
To prevent gastric atony
To reduce gastric acidity
To promote gastric emptying

The correct answer is: To prevent gastric atony

Pyloroplasty is commonly performed after a vagotomy primarily to enhance gastric drainage. Vagotomy involves cutting the vagus nerve to reduce gastric acid secretion, which can lead to delayed gastric emptying or stomach stasis, particularly if the pyloric channel is compromised. By performing a pyloroplasty, which involves widening the pylorus, the surgeon facilitates the outflow of gastric contents into the duodenum. This procedure addresses concerns about gastric emptying efficiency, ensuring that food can pass through the digestive system more readily, thereby preventing complications related to stasis. The enhanced gastric drainage is essential to maintaining nutritional balance and preventing discomfort or further complications that may arise from poor gastric emptying. Other choices, such as preventing gastric atony or reducing gastric acidity, do not directly apply to the primary purpose of pyloroplasty after vagotomy. While pyloroplasty can indirectly influence these factors, its main function is to promote effective gastric drainage and alleviate the issues associated with delayed gastric emptying that often follows vagotomy.