PHYSIOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL STUDIES OF VAGOTOMIZED PATIENTS

Abstract

THE REINTRODUCTION of gastric vagotomy in the treatment of duodenal, gastric and gastrojejunal ulceration by Dragstedt¹in 1946 has stimulated a wide interest in this operation. Previous reports by one of us²have always advocated a reservation of opinion regarding postoperative clinical results because of the relatively short follow-up period. However, we now consider that follow-up studies from one to four years after operation have been carried out on a sufficient number of the 331 patients who have undergone gastric vagotomy at the Mayo Clinic so that some opinions can be formulated as to the comparative clinical value of gastric vagotomy in the treatment of the various types of peptic ulceration. In addition, the long term effects of gastric vagotomy on gastric acidity and motility and the results of insulin tests and their value as prognostic indexes of clinical results can be evaluated. Our study is based on