Healing of duodenal and prepyloric ulcers after selective and highly selective vagotomy

Thirty-six patients with duodenal or prepyloric ulcers who were treated by selective or highly selective vagotomy were followed up endoscopically. In one group of 21 patients examined 2 weeks after the operation, 67 per cent of the ulcers were healed. In another group of 15 patients endoscopy performed 2 months after the operation revealed that 93 per cent of the ulcers were healed. On comparing with previously reported endoscopical observations concerning spontaneous healing of duodenal ulcers, it can be concluded that vagotomy significantly promotes the healing of duodenal and prepyloric ulcers.