Anterior lesser curve seromyotomy with posterior truncal vagotomy versus proximal gastric vagotomy: results of a prospective randomized trial 2-5 years after surgery

In a prospective randomized trial, anterior lesser curve seromytomy with posterior truncal vagotomy [ASPV, n = 32] was compared with proximal gastric vagotomy [PGV, n=32]. They were followed up for 2 to 5 years after surgery. The mean reduction of basal acid output [BAO] and insulin-stimulated peak acid output [IPAO] were 85% and 88%, respectively, soon after surgery for both ASPTV and PGV groups. These values remained at 70% and 60% of their preoperative level of 1 year. Good to excellent result [Visick I and II] were recorded in 78% of cases in both groups. This suggests that for the treatment of duodenal ulcer ASPTV is a good alternative to PGV

Evaluation of venous valvular function of the lower limb by duplex ultrasonography

The duration of reverse flow after release of manual calf compression was measured in the common femoral, long saphenous, popliteal and short saphenous veins in 27 patients with venous disease of the lower limb by duplex ultrasonography. Fifteen controls without venous disease were assessed also. Before undertaking the study, the reproducibility of the technique was evaluated in 6 subjects by repeating the examination over 3 consecutive days, the coefficient of variation of the test was 7.3%. The 95% confidence interval [c.i.] of the median [0.16 s] of all measurements in the normal limbs was 1.12 - 0.18 s. In limbs with clinical evidence of venous disease at least one of the sites examined was found to have reverse flow longer than 0.5 s. These data suggested that the measurement of reverse flow after release of manual calf compression is a reproducible technique. While, the method records some reverse flow in normal veins, its duration is unlikely to exceed 0.5 s, significant reflux is therefore defined as reverse flow exceeding 0.5 s