Indication for thoracoscopic truncal vagotomy

Presently, more and more patients are being offered a minimally invasive surgical procedure for the management of chronic duodenal ulcer disease. Although previous authors have described a variety of laparoscopic selective vagotomy operations for this disease, there remains an important role for truncal vagotomy in selected patients. Two individuals with long-standing peptic ulcer disease and a history of prior perforation underwent thoracoscopic vagotomy. Both patients tolerated the surgical procedure well with a rapid return to work/normal activity. After 2 years both patients remain asymptomatic.