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

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.