Effect of cholecystectomy on mouth-to-cecum transit of a liquid meal

Mouth-to-cecum transit and serum bile acid profile after ingestion of a lactulose-labeled liquid meal (440 kcal) were measured in eight patients with gallstones and a radiologically functioning gallbladder before and three to five months after cholecystectomy and in 15 controls. In the patients mouth-to-cecum transit was longer after the operation, 87.5±18.5 (mean±sem)min vs 57.5±9.7 min (P<0.05). Mouth-to-cecum transit times before and after the operation were not different from controls (58.0±6.7 min). Serum bile acid AUCs were similar (P = NS) in patients and controls, while total bile acid and cholylglycine fasting concentrations were higher after cholecystectomy (P<0.05 andP<0.01 respectively). Cholecystectomy prolongs mouth-to-cecum transit of a liquid meal.