Recurrence after proximal gastric vagotomy without drainage for duodenal ulcer: a 3-6-year follow-up.

Abstract

During the period December 1970 to August 1973, 99 patients with duodenal ulcer underwent proximal gastric vagotomy without drainage, and 93 per cent of the patients were followed up for 3-6 years after the operation. A proved recurrent duodenal ulcer was noted in 4.3 per cent and a strongly suspected recurrent duodenal ulcer in 2 per cent. It is suggested that this rate of recurrence on medium term follow-up is compatible with the continued use of proximal gastric vagotomy in the surgical treatment of duodenal ulcer.