Selective or truncal vagotomy?: Five-year results of a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial

Abstract

The 5-year results of a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial of selective versus truncal vagotomy, each with pyloroplasty, are reported. of 100 patients entering the trial, 95 are available for study. There were 4 suspected or proven recurrent ulcers in the truncal group and 1 suspected but no proven recurrence in the selective group. The incidence of episodic diarrhoea was significantly less in the selective group; 4 mild and no severe cases compared with 11 mild and 2 severe cases among the truncal vagotomies. There was no severe dumping; mild symptoms were more common in the selective group but not significantly so. Miscellaneous dyspeptic symptoms were a little more common in the truncal group. Taking all these symptoms into consideration, the Visick clinical status of the selective group was superior. Weight changes, haemoglobin levels, and calcium levels were similar and satisfactory in each group. Selective vagotomy is superior to truncal vagotomy when each is combined with pyloroplasty.