A case of lesser curve ulceration after combined highly selective vagotomy and abdominal aortic aneurysm resection

A 71 year old white male is reported in whom ischaemic ulceration of the lesser curve of the stomach, a variant of lesser curve necrosis, occurred after the combined procedures of highly selective vagotomy (HSV) and abdominal aortic aneurysmectomy. Other operations, particularly fundoplication and incidental splenectomy, have been implicated in the aetiology of lesser curve ischaemia, an otherwise rare complication of HSV. This case suggests that concomitant aortic surgery may also increase the risk of lesser curve ischaemia after HSV. Careful endoscopic monitoring of patients undergoing these combined procedures is therefore recommended to better define the risk.