What is the primary effect of vagotomy on gastric function?

Vagotomy involves the surgical cutting of the vagus nerve, which plays a crucial role in regulating various digestive functions, including gastric motility and secretion. The primary effect of vagotomy on gastric function is to decrease motility. This occurs because the vagus nerve provides parasympathetic innervation to the stomach, stimulating contractions and accelerating gastric emptying. When the vagus nerve is severed, the normal stimulation is reduced, leading to decreased gastric motility. Consequently, the stomach’s ability to move food through the digestive tract becomes impaired, which can result in slower gastric emptying and potential digestive complications.

Understanding the role of the vagus nerve in digestive processes helps clarify why vagotomy primarily results in reduced motility, influencing patient management in cases where excessive gastric acid secretion or motility is problematic.