Perforated duodenal ulcer managed by proximal gastric vagotomy and suture plication

Twenty-one patients with acute perforated duodenal ulcer were managed by proximal gastric vagotomy without drainage and simple closure of the perforation reinforced with an omental patch. There was no operative mortality. No recurrent duodenal ulcers have developed. All patients have achieved a good to excellent clinical result from their operation. Dumping, diarrhea, and reflux gastritis have not developed. Follow-up studies extend to three and one-half years. Proximal gastric vagotomy with simple closure is safe, effective management for the patient with an acute perforated duodenal ulcer. This operation is a satisfactory compromise between simple closure alone which does not protect against recurrent ulcer and definitive ulcer operations which may subject patients who would not have further ulcer symptoms to the unnecessary risk of increased mortality, morbidity, and postgastrectomy disorders.