Vagotomy and pyloroplasty for gastric ulcers

Eighty patients with benign gastric ulcer treated by vagotomy and pyloroplasty in a district general hospital are reviewed. There were no postoperative deaths in the patients undergoing elective surgery but 8 deaths in those undergoing emergency surgery for massive bleeding (38 per cent). Eighty-three per cent of patients had a result that was classed as good or satisfactory. Recurrent gastric ulceration was found in 8 per cent and a tendency to late asymptomatic ulcer recurrence is identified. Careful long term follow-up, including endoscopic re-examination, is advocated for patients undergoing conservative operations for benign gastric ulcer.