Highly selective vagotomy and pyloric dilatation for duodenal ulcer with stenosis

Abstract

This paper presents the results obtained in 15 patients with duodenal ulcer and stenosis who were treated more than 3 years ago by highly selective vagotomy (HSV) and dilatation of the stenosis without a gastric drainage procedure. Patients were taking solid food 3--6 days postoperatively and were discharged after 7--14 days. There have been no recurrent stenoses. Fourteen of the 15 patients were Visick grade 1 or 2 at their last visit. One patient has a recurrent ulcer, but no restenosis. Barium meals performed on 6 patients with severe stenosis preoperatively showed satisfactory gastric emptying 1--3 years postoperatively. HSV and pyloric dilatation seems to be a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of pyloric stenosis due to chronic duodenal ulceration.