[Can truncal vagotomy still be justified?]

The aim of the study was to determine the severeness of the postvagotomy side-effects in patients who underwent truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty in emergency situations because of perforation or haemorrhage of a gastro-duodenal ulcer. Fullness (21%) and diarrhoea (17%) were found to be the most important side-effects. Although there were 31% of Visick Grades 3 and 4.86% of the patients were content with their general condition after the operation. None were disabled in their social or working life. It is concluded that because of the well tolerated side-effects truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty may still be performed in case of emergency-complications of the gastro-duodenal ulcer.