Lansoprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin triple therapy in vagotomized patients with dyspeptic complaints. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical study without pretreatment diagnostic upper endoscopy.

BACKGROUND

The Maastricht Consensus Report advises that, in Helicobacter pylori-positive patients after surgery for peptic ulcer disease, H. pylori should be eradicated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the symptomatic response of H. pylori eradication in previously vagotomized peptic ulcer patients with persistent dyspeptic complaints.

METHODS

The study was performed as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Pretreatment diagnostic upper endoscopy was omitted. All the results were submitted to intention-to-treat and efficacy analyses.

RESULTS

We could not find any differences between the two groups with regard to intensity or frequency of upper abdominal pain, nausea, heartburn, or other abdominal symptoms during the 12-month follow-up. The triple therapy eradication rate was 88% at both 3- and 12-month controls.

CONCLUSION

Vagotomized peptic ulcer patients with persistent dyspeptic complaints should undergo a diagnostic upper endoscopy to detect ulcer recurrence before H. pylori eradication treatment is considered.