Surgery for duodenal ulcer: selection of the most suitable operation for the patient

The results of 70 consecutive operations for duodenal ulcer are presented to illustrate an approach which attempts to make the best use of the range of available operations. The object is to select patients according to criteria which minimize mortality and recurrent ulcer rate by adapting the operation to the circumstances. Functional results have been extremely satisfactory; operative mortality was 1-4% and, although the follow-up period is not sufficiently long to allow a final rate to be determined, proven recurrent ulcer rate is 2-8%. These results indicate that his approach is worth further consideration.