A technique for highly selective (parietal cell or proximal gastric) vagotomy for duodenal ulcer

Abstract

The designation and comparative effects of the various types of vagotomy in current use for the treatment of duodenal ulcer are discussed and the surgical anatomy of the form known as ‘proximal gastric’ vagotomy, ‘parietal cell’ vagotomy or ‘highly selective’ vagotomy is examined. A detailed and fully illustrated description is given of a well-tried technique for the performance of this latter operationW. It is emphasized that really long-term results of proximal gastric vagotomy without drainage for duodenal ulcer are still lacking, but the possible legitimate uses of this procedure at the present time are considered as well as its potential place in the future if its achievements live up to their early promise.