Omeprazole is more effective than a histamine H2-receptor blocker for maintaining a persistent elevation of gastric pH after colon resection for cancer

Hsu, Tzu-Chi; Su, Chiu-Feng; Leu, Shu-Ching; Huang, Pi-Chen; Wang, Tsang-En; Chu, Cheng-Hsin

doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2002.10.002

« Previous Next »The American Journal of Surgery
Volume 187, Issue 1 , Pages 20-23, January 2004

Omeprazole is more effective than a histamine H₂-receptor blocker for maintaining a persistent elevation of gastric pH after colon resection for cancer

Tzu-Chi Hsu, M.D.
- Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Surgery, Taipei Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +011-8862-2543-3535; fax: +011-8862-2543-3642.
Chiu-Feng Su, R.Ph.
- Department of Pharmacy, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
Shu-Ching Leu, R.N.
- Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
Pi-Chen Huang, R.N.
- Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
Tsang-En Wang, M.D.
- Gastrointestinal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
Cheng-Hsin Chu, M.D.
- Gastrointestinal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan

Received 22 April 2002; received in revised form 28 October 2002

Abstract

Background

An assessment was made of the change and the effect of a histamine H₂-receptor blocker (H₂-blocker) or omeprazole on gastric pH after surgery.

Methods

Eighty patients who underwent colon resection for colorectal cancer were devided into groups of 20. Group I received neither H₂-blocker nor omeprazole. Group II received cimetidine hydrochloride 1,200 mg daily, group III received ranitidine hydrochloride 200 mg daily, group IV received omeprazole 40 mg twice daily for 5 days. Gastric juice was measured preoperatively and then twice daily until the fifth postoperative day.

Results

The gastric pH decreased after surgery. The gastric pH increased on the first postoperative day after the administration of H₂-blockers (P <0.001), but started to decrease on the second postoperative day. The gastric pH increased and remained high throughout the study period for the omeprazole group (P <0.001).

Conclusions

The administration of an H₂-blocker can significantly elevate the gastric pH value for patients after resection of colorectal cancer, but only lasts for 24 to 48 hours. Omeprazole is more effective than an H₂-blocker at maintaining a persistent elevation of gastric pH.

Keywords: H₂-blocker, Omeprazole, Gastric juice