[Carcinogenesis following vagotomy. Experimental long-term animal studies]

The risk of carcinoma in the stomach after non resecting surgery is not yet clear, because 12 to 14 years of clinical follow ups after vagotomy and especially selective proximal vagotomy are not long enough. Our experimental long term studies showed for the first time carcinoma in animals after vagotomy without application of a carcinogen. Due to the the operation and probably to carcinogenesis are atrophy of the mucosa, achlorhydria and ulcer as well as duodeno-gastric-reflux after drainage-operation and the lesion by the operation itself, in different and varying extents. Observing the cautious reservations needed for transferring experimental results to human conditions, vagotomy is no longer an operation out of competition compared with gastric resections, especially when a drainage-operation must be done. Careful postoperative and clinical surveillance including endoscopy and biopsy after vagotomy is necessary after resections of the stomach.