VAGOTOMY AND PYLOROPLASTY FOR GASTRIC-ULCERS

Eighty patients with benign gastric ulcer treated by vagotomy and pyloroplasty in a district general hospital are reviewed. There were no postoperative deaths in the patients undergoing elective surgery but 8 deaths in those undergoing emergency surgery for massive bleeding (38 per cent). Eighty‐three per cent of patients had a result that was classed as good or satisfactory. Recurrent gastric ulceration was found in 8 per cent and a tendency to late asymptomatic ulcer recurrence is identified. Careful long term follow‐up, including endoscopic re‐examination, is advocated for patients undergoing conservative operations for benign gastric ulcer. Copyright © 1979 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd.