Laparoscopic highly selective vagotomy

Laparoscopic highly selective (anterior and posterior) vagotomy was performed in 11 patients for duodenal ulcer (n = 10) and duodenal ulcer with prepyloric ulcer (n = 1). All patients were endoscoped both pre- and postoperatively. There were no perioperative complications. The average operating time was 3.2 ± 0.4 hours and the average hospital stay was 1.7 ± 0.2 day (range 1 to 3 days). None of the patients required parenteral narcotics postoperatively. The patients have been followed for 6 months to 5 years after operation. All ulcers healed as demonstrated by endoscopy. There was one recurrence at 9 months in a patient who had a prepyloric ulcer preoperatively. The recurrence was treated successfully with medication. There has been no other long-term morbidity. Laparoscopic highly selective vagotomy is feasible, safe, requires a brief hospital stay, and produces short-term results comparable with open surgery.