OBJECTIVETo investigate the causes, diagnosis and treatment of gastroparesis syndrome after nongastrectomy abdominal operation.

METHODSThe clinical data of 22 cases with gastroparesis syndrome after nongastrectomy abdominal operation from 1972 to 2004 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSGastroparesis syndrome after nongastrectomy abdominal operation often occurred during 4-6 days postoperatively when the patients began to take in food, characterized by upper abdominal distension, nausea, vomiting, strong splashing bowel sound, weak bowel sound and large quantity of gastric drainage ranging from 1000 to 3000 ml every day. Barium meal was valuable not only in the diagnosis but also effective for promoting gas motility. It revealed a non-peristaltic, flabby and static stomach, and retention of contrast medium in the stomach even 5-6 hours later. All the patients recovered through non-operative therapy for 5-25 days including continuous gastrointestinal decompression, TPN and gastro-intestinal dynamic medicine.

CONCLUSIONSThe causes of gastroparesis syndrome after nongastrectomy abdominal operation are multifactorial, most of such patients can be cured by non-operative therapy.