The electrostimulation test for intraoperative control of vagotomy

A prospective randomized study was made of the Burge-Vane intraoperative electrostimulation test (EST) following selective proximal vagotomy for duodenal ulcer. Histologically proven nerve fibres were demonstrated by EST in 6 of 50 patients. The postoperative acid values and the ulcer recurrence rate were compared in these 50 patients and in 50 who did not undergo EST. The postoperative acid values did not differ significantly between these two groups. Ulcer recurred in 16% of the EST and 14% of the non-EST group during 6-8 year follow-up. Use of EST thus did not influence the results in this trial.