Long-term results of highly selective vagotomy: a prospective study with implications for future laparoscopic surgery

Between 1979 and 1984, 141 patients (110 men, 31 women) underwent highly selective vagotomy (HSV) by a standard open technique for duodenal ulcer. All patients had received preoperative treatment with full-dose H2-receptor antagonists. Some 107 of these patients underwent HSV for persistent relapse on withdrawal of H2-receptor antagonists (relapsing responders) and 30 because of non-response to such drugs. After 4 years of follow-up, non-responders were found to be more likely to have symptoms after operation (P < 0.001), but did not have a higher rate of recurrent ulceration. At a median of 11 (range 8-14) years after operation 126 patients were still alive; 115 (91 per cent) of these were followed up. Ten patients (9 per cent) were found to have had endoscopically proven recurrence and eight (7 per cent) still had symptoms without evidence of recurrence. The endoscopic recurrence rate and symptom rate at 11 years were no longer significantly different between relapsing responders and non-responders. The preoperative response to H2-receptor antagonist therapy does not help in predicting the likelihood of ulcer recurrence or long-term symptoms after HSV. Post-operative symptoms do not necessarily predict long-term ulcer recurrence. The long-term endoscopic recurrence rate after HSV is low and, if equally good results can be obtained laparoscopically, this will be an important and cost-effective option in the management of duodenal ulcer.