Critique on Vagotomy

Abstract

AT LEAST fifty surgical procedures have been employed in the cure of chronic peptic ulcer since Doyen¹ first suggested gastroenterostomy, nearly all of which have been based on arrest or neutralization of acid secretion. The operation of the hour is vagotomy, which owes its popularity to the imperfections of its immediate predecessor, subtotal gastrectomy.The criticisms of the end results of gastrectomy have been directed toward postoperative marginal and secondary ulcers, postoperative nutritional impairment, dyspepsia, diarrhea, defective fat absorption, secondary anemia, incomplete relief of pain, subsequent hemorrhages and "vagotonic symptoms." Postoperative ulceration is reported in 2 to 6 per cent . . .