SUPRADIAPHRAGMATIC SECTION OF THE VAGUS NERVES

Abstract

Complete division of the vagus nerves to the stomach for the treatment of intractable duodenal ulcer in 2 patients was reported by Dragstedt and Owens¹ in 1943. Subsequent reports of additional cases were made by Dragstedt, Palmer, Schafer and Hodges² in 1944 and by Dragstedt and Schafer³ in 1945. At the present time a total of 38 patients with duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer or gastrojejunal ulcer have been treated in this clinic by this principle. Details of the surgical technic, indications and end results of the procedure will be discussed elsewhere. In 34 of the patients section of the vagus nerves was accomplished by exposing the lower esophagus after a left thoracotomy and dividing the fibers just above the diaphragm.³ In 4 patients a laparotomy was performed, the triangular ligament to the left lobe of the liver was divided to expose the cardia, the esophagus was