[Long-term follow-up study after pylorus-preserving gastrectomy for gastric ulcer]

The long-term follow-up study of pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) for benign gastric ulcer was described in terms of postoperative subjective symptoms related to gastrectomy and recurrent ulceration. Of 134 patients who underwent PPG, 5 patients died within one month after operation, 33 patients died in the follow-up period and 22 patients have not been traced. Seventy-four patients were available for a 3-24 year follow-up (mean 16.6 years) Recurrent ulcer developed in 4 patients, 1, 2, 9 and 11 years after surgery at the greater curvature of pre-pyloric region in all cases. Two patients underwent reoperation. These patients revealed higher gastric acid secretion as compared with that of one month after primary operation. But gastrin hypersecretion and G-cell hyperplasia were not recognized in these patients. According to detailed questionnaires, no patient showed the symptoms of dumping syndrome. The results indicate that PPG is preferable for the surgical treatment of gastric ulcer.