TRUNCAL VAGOTOMY REDUCES FOOD AND LIQUID INTAKE IN MAN

Truncal vagotomy reduces food and liquid intake in laboratory animals but has not been studied in man. Seven (6F) morbidly obese patients kept 4-day dietary diaries with validation by urine nitrogen analysis before and 3 and 9 months after truncal vagotomy without drainage. Significant reductions in body weight were accompanied by reductions in self-reported total calorie intake from 2800 kcal/day to 1800 at 3 months and 2000 kcal/day at 9 months. The correlation between reported and validated protein intake was .72 (p < 0.001) with a mean underreporting of protein intake by at least 27%. Macronutrient distribution of 45 kcal% carbohydrate, 40% fat and 15% protein did not change postoperatively. There were statistically significant postoperative reductions in total volume and calorie density of liquid intake. Liquid calories were reduced by 47% at 3 months and 50% at 9 months and solid calories by 33% at 3 months and 27% at 9 months. It is concluded that truncal vagatomy reduces food and liquid intake in man preferentially through liquid reduction. These results have implications for surgical treatment of morbid obesity.