Denervation of the greater curvature in proximal gastric vagotomy

World Journal of Surgery - This report concerns a study of the role of the gastroepiploic nerves at the greater curvature in gastric acid secretion and the influence of its section in proximal...     

Proximal gastric vagotomy compared with vagotomy and antrectomy and selective gastric vagotomy and pyloroplasty.

A prospective, randomized study of proximal gastric vagotomy without drainage (PGV) was done in 174 adult men with chronic duodenal ulcer intractable to medical therapy. PGV was randomized against truncal vagotomy with antrectomy (TV + A) and against selective gastric vagotomy with Finney pyloroplasty (SGV + P). Postgastrectomy sequelae (dumping, diarrhea and reflux gastritis) were less after PGV. One patient after PGV developed a recurrent ulcer as did one patient after SGV + P. Two patients developed gastric ulcers after PGV. Good to excellent results (Visick I and II) were obtained in 96% of patients with PGV, 94% with TV + A and 86% with SGV + P. Follow-up studies were from six months to four years.     

Proximal gastric vagotomy. A prospective study of 829 patients with four-year follow-up

A prospective controlled trial of proximal gastric vagotomy (PGV) in 829 patients at three surgical services is presented. Peroperative tests of vagotomy completeness were made in two of the three groups of patients. The follow-up period was four to six years. The hospital stay after PGV averaged 9.2 days. The postoperative mortality rate was 0.2%. The reduction of gastric acidity was maintained four years after PGV. Postoperatively no patient had severe diarrhoea. The incidence of dumping after PGV was 1.5% and of gastric stasis 7.3%. Though 7% of the patients reported pyrosis after PGV, only a few required treatment. Transient dysphagia was reported by 2.5% of the patients. In about 4% of the series there were relatively mild ulcer-like symptoms postoperatively, without confirmation of ulcer. Duodenal ulcer recurred in 2% of cases during the observation period and gastric ulcer appeared in 1.5%. According to the Visick classification, 74% of the series showed grade I clinical result, 18% grade II, 4% grade III and 4% grade IV. There were no intergroup differences in Visick grades.     

Proximal gastric vagotomy and mucosal antrectomy: a comparative physiologic examination

Proximal gastric vagotomy-mucosal antrectomy (PGV-MA) was devised in an attempt to reduce the cephalic and hormonal phases of acid secretion without disturbing gastric emptying. The current study determines the effects of proximal gastric vagotomy (PGV), or PGV-MA on acid secretion, gastrin, and gastric emptying. Twelve dogs underwent measurement of gastric emptying, fasting and postcibal acid production, and fasting and postprandial gastrin levels. The animals then underwent either PGV or PGV-MA and the studies were repeated. PGV markedly decreased basal acid (P less than 0.001); however, there was still a large postprandial acid increase. In contrast, PGV-MA nearly abolished both fasting and postprandial acid secretion (difference from control and PGV significant at P less than 0.001). Gastric emptying was not significantly altered by either procedure. PGV was associated with increased fasting and postprandial gastrin levels, while PGV-MA produced lower gastrin levels at all intervals than either controls or PGV-MA. PGV-MA emulates the effects of truncal vagotomy and antrectomy on acid secretion, without affecting gastric emptying and deserves further investigation as a possible surgical alternative in the treatment of duodenal ulcer disease.     

Proximal gastric vagotomy. Comparison between open and laparoscopic methods in the canine model.

OBJECTIVE. The authors compared open and laparoscopic proximal gastric vagotomies for efficacy of acid reduction and preservation of gastric emptying. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA. Laparoscopic methods have been used to perform vagotomy in patients with duodenal ulcer; however, no direct comparisons are available of laparoscopic and open surgical procedures regarding acid reduction and gastric emptying. METHODS. Thirty-one consecutive dogs were randomized to open proximal gastric vagotomy (OPGV; n = 11), laparoscopic anterior seromyotomy and posterior truncal vagotomy (ASPTV; n = 10), or laparoscopic proximal gastric vagotomy (LPGV; n = 10). Intraoperative endoscopic Congo red testing assured complete vagotomy. Basal acid output (BAO) and maximal acid output (MAO) during pentagastrin and insulin-induced hypoglycemia were measured with marker dilution techniques, and gastric emptying was assessed with radionuclide-labelled solid and liquid markers before and 5 weeks after operation. RESULTS. Operative time (mean +/- standard error of the mean) for OPGV was shorter compared with ASPTV and LPGV (86 +/- 7 minutes vs. 124 +/- 7 minutes and 115 +/- 7 minutes; p < 0.002). Postoperative BAO did not decrease in any group. Open proximal gastric vagotomy and LPGV, but not ASPTV, decreased MAO (p < 0.05); (after pentagastrin, OPGV from 26.4 +/- 1.7 mEq/hour to 11.3 +/- 0.1 mEq/hour, LPGV from 21.4 +/- 1.0 mEq/hour to 6.4 +/- 0.5 mEq/hour; after insulin-induced hypoglycemia, OPGV from 9.9 +/- 0.5 mEq/hour to 2.2 +/- 0.3 mEq/hour, LPGV from 7.9 +/- 0.5 mEq/hour to 1.9 +/- 0.4 mEq/hour). Gastric emptying of liquids and solids, as quantitated by the time for one half of the marker to empty (T 1/2) and the shape of the emptying curve, were similar before and after all three surgical procedures. CONCLUSIONS. Laparoscopic proximal gastric vagotomy was comparable to OPGV in decreasing stimulated gastric acid production without significantly altering gastric emptying. Anterior seromyotomy and posterior truncal vagotomy was less effective in decreasing MAO and required more operative time. Laparoscopic proximal gastric vagotomy has the potential to become accepted therapy for patients with duodenal ulcer managed presently with OPGV.     

Proximal gastric vagotomy, truncal vagotomy with drainage, and truncal vagotomy with antrectomy for chronic duodenal ulcer. A prospective, randomized controlled trial.

The relative merits of proximal gastric vagotomy (PGV), truncal vagotomy with drainage (TV + D), and truncal vagotomy with antrectomy (TV + A) in the treatment of chronic duodenal ulcer were evaluated and compared in 152 patients in a prospective, randomized and controlled clinical trial. One death occurred after TV + A, resulting in an operative mortality of 2% after gastrectomy and 0.7% for the entire series. After one to six years, stomal and duodenal ulcers proven by endoscopy occurred in eight patients after PGV (16%) and in six patients after TV + D (11.8%); the difference was not statistically significant (p greater than 0.5). One additional patient developed a gastric ulcer nine months after PGV. There was so far no ulcer recurrence after TV + A. Majority (13 patients) of the recurrent ulcers were discovered within three years after surgery. Patients after PGV experienced significantly less unwanted side effects than those after either TV + D or TV + A; particularly, dumping, epigastric fullness, and diarrhea. When the functional status was graded according to a modified Visick system that excluded ulcer recurrence, significantly more PGV patients were placed in the near-perfect grade (82.1%) than TV + A patients (58%). Patients after TV + D fared better than patients after TV + A; but the differences were not significant. However, when ulcer recurrence was included in the functional assessment, the advantage of PGV was lost.     

Proximal selective vagotomy without pyloroplasty. A randomized clinical study.

50 consecutive male patients with a proven duodenal ulcer disease without pyloric stenosis were electively treated with a proximal selective vagotomy. They were randomized in a group with and a group without pyloroplast. Up to now (1-3 years follow-up) no recurrences were found, and only two patients have major complaints (Visich grading 3). There are no differences between the two groups, as judged by the clinical result, the pentagastrin test, the Hollander test (2-DODG stimulation), and the gastrin analysis. Pyloroplasty therefore is not needed. Although the vagotomy which completely preserves antral motility is mostly incomplete in the Hollander test, it is sufficient as judged by the clinical results and the acid response.     

Proximal gastric vagotomy and suprapyloric antrectomy. Experimental evaluation in dogs.

In five dogs with Heidenhain pouches, proximal gastric vagotomy and suprapyloric antrectomy did not alter the rate of gastric emptying of 300 mL of 1% dextrose or of 40 plastic spheres, or disrupt the barricade preventing duodenogastric reflux. However, the operation did slow gastric emptying of 50 g of cubed liver and increase the postprandial secretion of hydrochloric acid from the pouch. We concluded that suprapyloric antrectomy can be combined with proximal gastric vagotomy without disturbing the gastric emptying of liquids and indigestible solids or resulting in increased duodenogastric reflux. However, the operation does slow gastric emptying of digestible solids.     

Proximal gastric vagotomy and pyloroplasty for duodenal ulcer with pyloric stenosis: A thirteen-year experience

Between 1970 and 1983, seventy-eight patients with duodenal ulcer and pyloric stenosis causing gastric outlet obstruction have been operated on with a proximal gastric vagotomy (PGV) and a Heineke-Mikulicz pyloroplasty. The mean observation time was 90 months. There was no operative mortality or major complications. The reduction in mean acid output was greater after PGV and pyloroplasty than after PGV without drainage in patients with duodenal ulcer without stenosis. The clinical results were excellent or good in 93% of the patients (Visick I and II). Only 1 patient (1.3%) developed a recurrent ulcer, while 5 patients (6.4%) had symptoms of slight or moderate dumping. It is concluded that PGV and pyloroplasty is a good operation in patients with duodenal ulcer and pyloric stenosis. There is a low incidence of ulcer recurrence, a low risk of serious complications, and good long-term symptom control.

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Resumen Setenta y ocho pacientes con úlcera duodenal y estenosis pilórica causante de obstrucción de la desembocadura del estómago fueron sometidos a vagotomía gástrica proximal (VGP) y piloroplastia de Heineke-Mikulicz entre 1970 y 1983. No se presentó mortalidad operatoria y tampoco se registraron complicaciones mayores. La reducción en la secreción gástrica media fué superior después de VGP y piloroplastia que después de VGP sin drenaje en pacientes con úlcera duodenal sin estenosis. Los resultados clínicos fueron excelentes o buenos en 93% de los pacientes (Visick I y II). Sólo un paciente (1.3%) desarrolló úlcera recurrente, mientras 5 pacientes (6.4%) eshibieron síntomas de dumping leve o moderado.Se llega a la conclusión de que la VGP y piloroplastia es una buena operación en pacientes con úlcera duodenal y estenosis pilórica. Se observa una baja incidencia de úlcera recurrente, un bajo riesgo de complicaciones y un buen control sintomático a largo plazo.

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Résumé De 1970 à 1983, 78 malades porteurs d'un ulcère duodénal compliqué de sténose pylorique ont subi une vagotomie hypersélective combinée à une pyloroplastie de type Heineke-Mikulicz. La durée moyenne du suivi postopératoire a été de 90 mois alors qu'aucun décès opératoire, qu'aucune complication ne fut notée. La réduction du débit acide moyen fut plus importante après vagotomie hypersélective et pyloroplastie qu'après vagotomie hypersélective sans drainage complémentaire chez les sujets qui présentaient un ulcère duodénal sans sténose pylorique associée. Les résultats cliniques ont été excellents ou bons dans 93% des cas (Visick I et II). Un seul opéré (1,3%) a présenté une récidive ulcéreuse cependant que cinq sujets (6,4%) ont accusé un dumping syndrome léger ou modéré.On peut conclure de ces faits que la vagotomie hypersélective avec pyloroplastie est une bonne opération chez les malades qui présentent un ulcère du duodénum compliqué de sténose pylorique. Le risque de récidive est faible ainsi que celui de complications postopératoires alors que le contrôle à long terme de l'aifection est bon.

     

Reperitonealization and invagination of the lesser curvature of the stomach following proximal gastric vagotomy.

Lesser curve necrosis usually presents as free perforation. A case of large gastric ulcer occurring very shortly after proximal gastric vagotomy (PGV) for a duodenal ulcer that was almost certainly due to ischemic necrosis of the lesser curve is presented here. Reperitonealization and invagination of the lesser curve is recommended following PGV so that, if necrosis occurs, it will take place within the stomach and not into the free peritoneal cavity. This maneuver may also avoid possible vagal reinnervation and the formation of dense adhesions between the stomach and liver.     

The relative effects of lesser curvature vagotomy and esophageal vagotomy on the acid secretory effect of proximal gastric vagotomy

Proximal gastric vagotomy is an operation consisting of division of all vagal fibers to the acid-secreting portion of the stomach. These fibers are usually divided along the lesser curvature of the stomach; however, because of a high rate of duodenal ulcer recurrence in some series, it has become apparent that it is important to divide the vagal fibers to the stomach leaving the main vagal trunks along the distal 5 cm of esophagus in order to achieve both adequate control of acid secretion and also a lower duodenal ulcer recurrence rate. The data presented in this study of ten mongrel dogs suggest that, in the dog, division of the vagal fibers along the lesser curvature is more important in reducing acid secretion than is esophageal vagotomy; but the data also emphasize the contribution of the vagal fibers along the distal esophagus since a marked reduction in 2 DG-stimulated acid secretion can only be achieved by dividing the vagal fibers around the distal esophagus as well as those along the lesser curvature.     

Proximal gastric vagotomy: effects of two operative techniques on clinical and gastric secretory results.

PGV performed in 39 patients by separating the lesser omentum from the stomach beginning 6 or 7 cm proximal to the pylorus and skeletonizing the distal 1 to 2 cm of esophagus was followed by 15.4% of proven and 10.2 of suspected recurrent ulcers. Insulin tests were done during the first 3 months postoperatively on 31 of the patients, including the 6 with proven and the 4 with suspected recurrent ulcers. The peak acid output to insulin minus tha basal acid output (PAOI-BAO) was less than 5 mEq/hr in 16 cases (52%) and from 5 to 25 mEq/hr in the remaining 15 cases. In 6 patients with proven recurrent ulcer, PAOI-BAO averaged 21.9 mEq/hr (range, 11.3 to 41.8); in the 4 patients with suspected recurrence, 9.5 (range, 4.4 to 11.8).The operative technique was changed in one respect; the distal 5 to 7.5 cm of the esophagus was skeletonized. In 14 patients, the mean PAOI-BAO +/- S.E. within 3 months of PGV was 1985 +/- 0.7 mEq/hr, and 13 of 14 values were less than 5 mEq/hr. One patient developed recurrent ulcer and required re-operation; this patient's value for PAO-BAO was 1.8 mEq/hr. The results show quantitatively that great differences in the completeness of PGV result from differences in the periesophageal dissection and emphasize its importance if optimal results are to be obtained and, especially, if the efficacy of the operation is to be judged.     

Proximal gastric vagotomy in the emergency treatment of bleeding duodenal ulcer

Proximal gastric vagotomy for bleeding duodenal ulcer was performed in 52 low-risk patients between 1973 and 1986. Duodenotomy without violation of the pylorus was done in all patients to allow inspection and control of the bleeding site. The median duration of operation was 3 hours and 20 minutes, although 25% of the procedures required 4 or more hours. There was no postoperative mortality and no early reoperations. Among the six patients with postoperative complications, one rebled from the ulcer and two developed prolonged gastric atony. At the time of follow-up (median, 2.9 years), 48 of the patients were alive and 4 had died of non-ulcer causes. No patient had significant postvagotomy sequelae. Ulcer recurrence was documented in six patients, and three required reoperation. Proximal gastric vagotomy is a safe, effective therapy for bleeding duodenal ulcer. Because of the length of the operation, it should be restricted to low-risk patients who are hemodynamically stable at the time of operation.     

Proximal gastric vagotomy. Follow-up of 109 patients for 6-13 years

From January 1973 through December 1979, 131 patients underwent proximal gastric vagotomy (PGV) for duodenal ulcer. There were 78 men and 53 women, whose age ranged from 19 to 73 years, with a mean age of 45 years. One hospital death occurred as a result of pulmonary embolism (0.7% mortality). There were 12 late deaths unrelated to ulcer disease, and each of the 12 patients was graded Visick I or II prior to death. Nine patients were lost to follow-up. This report is an analysis of the remaining 109 patients followed from 6 to 13 years. One hundred two patients (93.5%) underwent PGV for intractability. Seven patients (6.5%) who underwent PGV in selective circumstances for either acute perforation (3 patients), bleeding (1 patient), and moderate outlet obstruction (3 patients) are included. Follow-up results reveal that 52 patients (47%) are graded Visick I, 40 patients (36%) Visick II, five patients (5%) Visick III, and 12 patients (12%) Visick IV. Mild diarrhea occurred in 2.8% and mild dumping in 1.9%, and no reflux gastritis or esophagitis was noted. Recurrent ulceration took place in 10 patients, and seven subsequently required reoperation. Two additional patients had the antral pump mechanism denervated and later required antrectomy. PGV has yielded satisfactory results over a 6-13 year follow-up when operation was done for intractability. The low incidence of unpleasant long-term side effects is an appealing feature of the operation. A recurrent ulcer rate of 9.2% (10 patients) has, however, been of major concern. Those with a prime interest in gastric surgery are urged to continue the use of PGV in cases of intractability. Another 10 years of clinical investigative work will no doubt be necessary to determine the ultimate rate of recurrent ulceration.     

Localization of the antral-corpus boundary in proximal gastric vagotomy: An experimental comparative study

A comparative, experimental study has been done in which 3 methods were utilized to determine the macroscopic antral corpus boundary in proximal gastric vagotomy: anatomical references (A.R.), pHmetry, and Congo red (C.R.). Acute experiments were done on 10 dogs in which, after stimulation of the gastric secretion with 6 pg/kg of pentagastrin intravenously, the macroscopic antral-corpus boundary was determined at the level of the lesser curvature of the stomach using the 3 methods. At the same time a series of specimens of gastric mucosa was obtained along the whole of the lesser curvature, to determine the relation between these macroscopic results and the microscopic limit. The results indicate that the A.R. gave an average error of 0.20±0.47 cm in relation to the microscopic limit, which was not significant (p>0.30). The average error produced by pHmetry was 1.45±0.36 cm, and that obtained with C.R. was 2.25±0.72 cm, which were both statistically significant (p<0.001). If these results are contrasted 2 by 2, it is found that the error with A.R. is significantly less than with pHmetry and with C.R. (p< 0.001). Likewise, the error with pHmetry is significantly less than with C.R. (p<0.05). We conclude that the determination of the macroscopic antral-corpus boundary in proximal gastric vagotomy should preferably be done using anatomical references, since this procedure is the most precise in relation to the microscopic line and is also the easiest to perform.