The effect of body position on postprandial perceptions, gastric emptying, and intragastric meal distribution: an ultrasonographic study in reclining healthy subjects.

Objective: Postprandial dyspepsia is common and may be associated with abnormal intragastric distribution of food. We aimed to determine the effect of body position on gastric emptying, meal distribution, and postprandial perceptions in healthy subjects.

Material And Methods: Eight adolescents (4 females and 4 males aged 14 years) were investigated using three-dimensional ultrasonography. The subjects were studied twice in a random order: once in the right lateral recumbent (RLR) position and once in the left lateral recumbent (LLR) position. Postprandial perceptions, gastric volumes, and antral areas were recorded immediately after the ingestion of 500 ml of a low-caloric meat soup over 4 min, and at 10 and 20 min following the meal.

Results: Postprandial perceptions (epigastric pain, nausea, and fullness) were more pronounced in the RLR position compared to the LLR position, particularly at the end of the meal ingestion (p < 0.01). Gastric volumes were significantly smaller in the RLR position compared to the LLR position at 10 min (p < 0.01) and 20 min (p < 0.05). Antral areas were significantly wider in the RLR position compared to the LLR position at 10 min (p < 0.05) and 20 min (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: Postprandial perceptions are more pronounced, gastric emptying is faster, and antral area is wider in the RLR position compared to the LLR position. The results suggest that lying on the left side after a meal may be a measure to reduce postprandial dyspeptic sensations.