Results of Classic Operations for Duodenal Ulcer

During the decade preceding the revival by Dragstedt and his co-workers of interest in section of the vagus nerves, there was not widespread unanimity regarding the indications for the operative treatment of patients suffering from a duodenal ulcer. Various principles had been established, and there had not been general agreement as to the type of operative procedure that was indicated in each type of case, although diverse sentiment did crystallize into a rather consistent pattern prior to the clinical reapplication of vagotomy. Within the three years previous to this report, conflicting reports pertaining to results of vagotomy have appeared in the medical literature and have incited unbounded enthusiasm for the procedure on the part of some persons and complete abandonment of the procedure by others. Between these extremes, a large number of physicians and surgeons have reached no definite conclusions but are maintaining an open mind until sufficient time has