Mortality and morbidity after anterior lesser curve seromyotomy with posterior truncal vagotomy for duodenal ulcer.

A survey has been performed of the mortality and morbidity of anterior lesser curve seromyotomy with posterior truncal vagotomy in the elective treatment of chronic duodenal ulcer. There was one death in a series of 605 patients due to a myocardial infarction, an operative mortality of 0.16 per cent. There was no case of ischaemic necrosis of the lesser curvature or fundus of the stomach. Eleven patients had symptoms of delayed gastric emptying (1.7 per cent) and seven of these underwent a drainage procedure (1.3 per cent). Postoperative dumping did not occur, significant diarrhoea was present in two patients (0.33 per cent). This operation is relatively simple, quick and extremely safe to perform. It is suggested that the more widespread use of this type of elective surgery for duodenal ulcer might reduce the mortality from the condition.