[Billroth I hemigastrectomy in complicated recurrent ulcer after selective proximal vagotomy]

Abstract

The outcome of Billroth I hemigastrectomy for complicated recurrent ulcers after proximal selective vagotomy (PSV) for duodenal ulcer was analyzed in a retrospective study of 15 patients followed up for 15-81 months (mean 3.8 years) postoperatively. Bleeding was reported in 4, stenosis in 5, penetration in 3, perforation in 1 and refractory ulcer in 2 cases. None of the patients died during revision surgery, and none developed ulcer recurrence. In 4 patients complications were seen, including bleeding requiring relaparotomy (1) and subhepatic hematoma (3). In 12 patients (80%) a good or excellent result (Visick I/II) was seen at follow-up. Reasons for Visick III or Visick IV classification were reflux esophagitis grades I and II in 2 cases and refractory dyspeptic symptoms in 1 case. Distal gastric resection with a Billroth I anastomosis for complicated recurrent ulcer after PSV proved to involve only low morbidity and to effect reliable prophylaxis of ulcer recurrence in the long term.