This communication deals with gastroscopic observations following vagotomy alone and in conjunction with either gastroenterostomy or subtotal gastrectomy in the treatment of peptic ulcer. The observations for the most part were made during the first postoperative year.
MATERIAL
This material was divided into three groups:Simple vagotomy, for conditions without abnormal communication between the stomach and the intestine. Included are cases in which supradiaphragmatic vagotomy was done ten to fourteen days following suturing for a perforated peptic ulcer (10 cases).
Vagotomy with gastroenterostomy (5 cases).
Vagotomy with subtotal gastrectomy (9 cases).
RESULTS
1. Simple Vagotomy.—
In cases in which simple vagotomy was done the stomach was usually found to be large and atonic, with little evidence of peristaltic activity. There was no edema, thickening, erythema or friability, and the mucosa was of normal color. No significant alterations were noted in the rugal pattern. The antrum