Initial experience of laparoscopic truncal vagotomy [in El-Minia University Hospital]

ABSTRACT

This report evaluates the role, efficacy and advantages of laparoscopic truncal vagotomy as an alternative treatment for patients in whom medical treatment failed to cure their ulcers. Between June 1997 and June1999, twelve patients with chronic duodenal ulcer underwent laparoscopic truncal vagotomy. Nine patients were males and three were females with an average age of 41 years. Through four ports 10mm and one port 5mm, the operations were done and both anterior and posterior vagi were cut. The mean operative time was 85 minutes and there were no major intraoperative complications. The mean hospital stay was 3.5 days. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 6 months. Postoperative complications were minor. One patient developed gastric stasis and was treated with repeated balloon dilatation