[10 years' results following proximal selective vagotomy in duodenal ulcer disease. A prospective study]

The results 10 years after proximal gastric vagotomy for chronic duodenal ulcer disease in a prospective trial are presented. Among 76 patients 5 were lost to follow-up, 3 had died from causes unrelated of ulcer disease. 80.3% of the patients remained clinically free from recurrence. 92.2% had a Visick grade I or II. The symptomatic recurrence rate was 19.7%, total recurrence rate including asymptomatic recurrences having been 25.3%. 6 patients (8.4%) had to be reoperated, 12 (16.9%) were treated medically. 3/4 of the medically treated patients only had 1 recurrence throughout 10 years. The rate of mild dumping and diarrhea was 2% each. Patients with recurrence showed no more significant reduction of BAO or pentagastrin stimulated maximal acid output (MAO) 10 years postoperatively. Patients without recurrence had a significant reduction of BAO and MAO of 42%. Based upon the results presented, the indication for proximal gastric vagotomy for chronic duodenal ulcer is still justified.