[The history of the treatment of chronic duodenal ulcer]

The author reviews the treatment of duodenal ulcer from its beginnings with gastroenterostomy one hundred years ago. He points out that treatment has changed as it was better understood that hypersecretion of acid was an important ulcerogenic factor. The Sippy regime, with diet and alkali to neutralize acid, and the resection and vagotomy were introduced. He discusses some aspects of the history of these therapies in Panama and points out the importance of the introduction of H2 receptors blocker and other drugs still under investigation.