Laparoscopic proximal gastric vagotomy.

Proximal gastric vagotomy, considered the conventional surgical treatment of choice for peptic ulcer disease, is now performed laparoscopically. Thirty-three patients underwent the procedure. Seven patients were treated on an emergency basis for perforated peptic ulcer. Morbidity and mortality of the procedure were zero. Patient acceptance (Visick staging) was good to excellent in 22 of 25 patients in follow-up. Laparoscopic proximal gastric vagotomy appears to be a good treatment in chronic peptic ulcer disease even when complicated by an acute perforation.