Laparoscopic-assisted vagotomy and distal gastrectomy

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Surgical Techniques

Background:

• Peptic ulcer disease management often requires surgical intervention.
• Laparoscopic techniques are increasingly adopted for gastrointestinal procedures.
• Vagotomy and gastrectomy are established surgical treatments for complicated peptic ulcers.

Observation:

• Three patients underwent laparoscopic-assisted vagotomy and distal gastrectomy for complicated peptic ulcer disease.
• Procedures included Billroth I and Billroth II anastomoses with varying operative times and blood loss.
• Postoperative recovery was monitored, including fluid tolerance, diet progression, and discharge duration.

Findings:

• Laparoscopic-assisted vagotomy and distal gastrectomy were successfully performed in all three patients.
• Outcomes included different anastomosis types (Billroth I/II), operative times (2h 35min - 4h 40min), and blood loss (<150ml - 350ml).
• Patients demonstrated good tolerance to oral intake and relatively short hospital stays, with discharge between postoperative days 4-11.

Implications:

• Laparoscopic-assisted vagotomy and gastrectomy represent a viable, minimally invasive surgical option for complicated peptic ulcer disease.
• The procedure offers potential benefits such as reduced trauma and faster recovery compared to open surgery.
• Further research with larger cohorts is warranted to fully establish the long-term efficacy and safety profile.