Peptic ulcer, pyloroplasty, and dietary fat. A new concept.

The hypothesis that peptic ulcer is a manifestation of a generalized metabolic disorder caused by excess dietary fat intake is supported by the results in a series of 134 patients with proven gastric or duodenal ulcer treated with a simple 'fat-free' diet, together with pyloroplasty in 82 cases and simple suture of a perforated ulcer in 16. Relief of symptoms and healing of the ulcer resulted in the great majority of cases so long as the diet was strictly adhered to, and there have been no side effects or morbidity.