Thoracoscopic vagotomy for peptic ulcer disease--report of two cases

Thoracoscopic vagotomy is a well-established technique in the management of recurrent peptic ulceration after previous abdominal vagotomy. The procedure allows an easy approach to the vagus nerves without having to dissect through dense adhesions from previous surgery. With thoracic vagotomy, the main morbidity is postoperative pain from the thoracotomy incision and rib spreading. Advances in endoscopic camera systems and instrumentation allow thoracic vagotomy to be safely and effectively accomplished by thoracoscopic surgery techniques, with reduced postoperative pain. We describe our experiences with thoracoscopic vagotomy in two cases of recurrent peptic ulceration.