Rise and fall of surgery for peptic ulcer disease

Abstract

Earlier the treatment for peptic ulcer was surgery such as truncal vagotomy and drainage procedure. Recurrence after surgery and complications were common. It was because of our lack of knowledge about helicobacter pylori bacteria we used to blame factors such as lifestyle, other than infections causing peptic ulcer. It was due to two genius Australian doctors who identified the bacteria and the scenario was changed. Surgery for peptic ulcer gradually diminished dramatically after the development of H2 receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors. The surgery for complications of peptic ulcer such as perforations remain same but elective surgery for peptic ulcer drastically reduced. There was a time when after failed medical treatment for peptic ulcer patients were advised surgery or remain on cold milk and bread. These researches in medicine have alleviated human suffering from peptic ulcer disease. Patients of deep penetrating peptic ulcer used to weep with pain and treating clinicians also used to get frustrated for not getting ways to make patients painfree.