Clinical results of parietal cell vagotomy (highly selective vagotomy) two to four years after operation

In Leeds and Copenhagen 271 patients were treated electively for duodenal ulcer by parietal cell vagotomy without drainage between 1969 and 1972 inclusive, with no operative deaths. 108 patients have been followed up 2-4 years since operation. Gastric stasis necessitating re-operation occurred in only 2 cases. Gastric ulcer developed in 2 cases, and in 3 cases recurrence of the duodenal ulcer was suspected but was unconfirmed at re-operation. Uncontrolled comparison with the results of partial gastrectomy and of vagotomy with drainage, as performed at these two centers, has shown that after parietal cell vagotomy without drainage there is a much lower incidence of dumping, diarrhea and bile vomiting, and, on overall assessment, a greater proportion of perfect or very good results.