[Selective proximal vagotomy without drainage in uncomplicated duodenal ulcer. Technic and frequency of recurrence]

899 cases of slective promimal vagotomy were operated between 1974-1978 in the Surgical University Hospital Erlangen. The underlying disease was in all cases a chronical duodenal ulcer. The primary operative mortality was 0,6%. Intraopeatively measurements to control the sufficiency of the vagotomy Burge and Grassi proved to be necessary. We could verify by endoscopy a recurrence rate of 5,8-16,5% in the 1.-4. postoperative year. Only 58% of the recurrences could be found by x-ray investigations. 75-82% of the patients had a clinically perfect and good result. In patients with a proven recurrent ulcer there was nevertheless a good clinical result in 64%. Clinical results and complaints of the patients are therefore not sufficient as follow-up after selective proximal vagotomy and early detection of a recurrent ulcer. We believe, that one endoscopy per year is necessary.