Long-term metabolic effects of truncal vagotomy and gastrojejunostomy for chronic duodenal ulcer.
In a review of 305 consecutive patients who had undergone truncal vagotomy and gastrojejunostomy for duodenal ulceration 5-15 (mean 10.5) years before, symptomatic and metabolic sequelae were related to a dietary survey in 109 patients. The incidence of post vagotomy symptoms was related to the incidence of weight loss and reduced dietary energy intake. The dietary survey did not show any trends in the incidence of weight loss since operation. Biochemical steatorrhoea occurred in 48% of 96 patients, but this was not related to dietary fat intake, or to weight loss unless diarrhoea was also present. Anaemia was noted in 13% of patients, but the incidence was not related to dietary survey, age, symptoms or post-vagotomy gastric acid output.
Irving
A D
AD
Department of Surgery, Stracathro Hospital, Brechin, UK.
Smith
G
G
Coubrough
H
H