Vagotomy and gastrojejunostomy for benign gastric outlet obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: Peptic-ulcer-induced gastric outlet obstruction is an indication for operative intervention. The advent of minimal access surgery allows the conventional open procedure to be performed via laparoscopy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1996 to 2000, 15 consecutive patients, aged 29 to 75 years, underwent laparoscopic truncal vagotomy and gastrojejunostomy for gastric outlet obstruction. Perioperative data and longterm followup results were analyzed.

RESULTS: There were no conversions or perioperative mortality. The mean operative time was 114 minutes. Patients required on average 1 dose of intramuscular pethidine for analgesia. Eleven patients were discharge by postoperative day 10; the remaining 4 patients had delayed gastric emptying which settled with conservative treatment. With an average followup period of 80 months, patients were classified as Visick I (n = 7), II (n = 5), III (n = 1), and IV (n = 2).

CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic truncal vagotomy and gastrojejunostomy is technically feasible for patients with benign gastric outlet obstruction and is associated with satisfactory perioperative and longterm outcome.