[Results of selective proximal vagotomy after 13 years]

This study reports the long-term results of 216 patients after highly selective vagotomy (HSV) for duodenal ulcers operated from 1970 through 1978 with a mean follow-up of 12.8 years (8.3-15). 26 patients developed symptomatic ulcer recurrences (12%) within 4 to 135 months following surgery, the cumulative recurrence rate (Kaplan-Meier) at 13 years was 20.3%. Acidity analyses showed a postoperative mean reduction of basal acid output (BAO) and maximal acid output (MAO) values of 80.7% and 74.8% respectively with no differences according to recurrences. The risk of recurrence was similar for duodenal (22/194) and pyloric ulcers (4/22) and no differences were found with respect to sex, additional drainage procedure, smoking habits, acute or elective operation and first or recurrent ulcers. Risk was slightly higher for complicated ulcers (p less than or equal to 0.07), but without reaching statistical significance. 78.5% of patients showed (very) good results (Visick I or II), only 6% were Visick III. HSV is therefore regarded as a valuable therapeutic measure for the treatment of duodenal ulcer independent of patient compliance.