Vagotomy

Vagotomy is a surgical procedure that is performed to treat peptic ulcers. It involves cutting the main trunk or branch of the vagus nerve, which is responsible for controlling gastric secretion.

Peptic ulcer is a common disease of the gastrointestinal tract, which is characterized by the formation of ulcers on the mucous membrane of the stomach or duodenum. It can lead to various symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and may also lead to complications such as bleeding or perforation of the ulcer.

Vagotomy is performed to reduce the secretion of hydrochloric acid and pepsin in the stomach, which promotes healing of the ulcer. Truncal vagotomy involves cutting off the main branches of the vagus nerve. However, it can lead to unwanted side effects such as delayed gastric emptying, diarrhea, weight loss, and increased stomach acid.

Therefore, selective vagotomy was developed, which allows preserving the branches of the vagus nerve that innervate the gallbladder and pancreas. This reduces the risk of unwanted side effects while maintaining the effectiveness of the surgery.

Highly selective (or proximal) vagotomy is a newer method that involves cutting only those branches of the vagus nerve that go to the stomach, while sparing the nerves that innervate the pylorus. This method is considered safer and more effective than truncal vagotomy, as it avoids unwanted side effects and preserves normal gastric motor function.

Overall, vagotomy is an effective procedure for treating peptic ulcers. However, like any other surgical procedure, it can lead to a number of unwanted side effects, so the choice of vagotomy method should be made taking into account the individual characteristics of each patient.

Vagotomy: Surgery to treat peptic ulcers

Vagotomy, a surgical procedure used in the treatment of peptic ulcers, is an effective method for reducing the secretion of hydrochloric acid and pepsin in the stomach. It is based on dissection of the main trunk or branch of the vagus nerve, which plays an important role in the regulation of gastric activity.

There are different types of vagotomy, including truncular vagotomy, selective vagotomy, and highly selective (proximal) vagotomy.

Truncal vagotomy is the simplest form of the procedure and involves cutting off the main branches of the vagus nerve. However, it may be associated with some side effects such as delayed gastric emptying and diarrhea.

Selective vagotomy, on the contrary, allows you to preserve the branches of the vagus nerve that innervate the gallbladder and pancreas. This helps prevent some of the side effects associated with truncal vagotomy, while the level of acid reduction remains sufficient to treat the ulcer.

Highly selective vagotomy, also known as proximal vagotomy, is a more modern approach to the procedure. With this method, only the branches of the vagus nerve leading to the stomach are cut, while preserving the nerves that innervate the pylorus. This reduces acid secretion in the stomach while minimizing the side effects associated with other types of vagotomy.

Vagotomy surgery has become an alternative to gastric resection, which was previously used to treat peptic ulcers. Vagotomy has advantages such as less invasiveness and faster recovery from surgery. However, like any surgical procedure, it may have risks and complications that must be taken into account when deciding whether to undergo it.

In general, vagotomy is an effective treatment for peptic ulcers and can be recommended for patients in whom conservative treatment does not provide adequate results. However, the decision to perform this operation must be made by the doctor based on an individual assessment of the patient and his characteristics.

Vagotomy is a surgical procedure that is performed to reduce the secretion of hydrochloric acid and pepsin in the stomach. It is widely used in the treatment of peptic ulcers, as well as some other gastrointestinal diseases.

A peptic ulcer is an ulcer that forms on the lining of the stomach or duodenum. It can cause a variety of symptoms, including pain, discomfort, heartburn and even bleeding. One of the main factors contributing to the development of peptic ulcers is excessive secretion of hydrochloric acid and pepsin in the stomach.

Vagotomy is one of the methods of treating peptic ulcers, aimed at reducing the secretion of gastric juice. It is based on dissection of the main trunk or branch of the vagus nerve, which plays a key role in regulating the secretion of gastric juice. The vagus nerve controls the activity of the stomach and is involved in transmitting signals between the brain and the stomach.

There are several different types of vagotomy, including truncular vagotomy, selective vagotomy, and highly selective (proximal) vagotomy. With truncal vagotomy, the main branches of the vagus nerve are cut off, while with selective vagotomy, the branches of the vagus nerve innervating the gallbladder and pancreas are preserved. Highly selective vagotomy involves cutting off only the branches of the vagus nerve going to the stomach, while the nerves innervating the pylorus are preserved.

Highly selective vagotomy has become the preferred method of vagotomy because it can achieve a reduction in gastric acid secretion while minimizing some of the side effects associated with complete vagal severing. This procedure can be performed as a standalone operation or in combination with other surgical interventions, such as gastrectomy.

Vagotomy is an effective treatment for peptic ulcers, however, like any surgical operation, it is not without certain risks and complications. Possible complications may include gastric motility problems, persistent indigestion, diarrhea, and acid reflux from the stomach into the esophagus.

In conclusion, vagotomy is a surgical procedure used to reduce the secretion of hydrochloric acid and pepsin in the stomach in the treatment of peptic ulcers. It can be performed by various methods, including stem, selective and highly selective vagotomy. Although this procedure can be effective, it is not without risks and complications, and its use should be carefully considered and recommended by appropriate medical professionals.