What happens to Helicobacter pylori after vagotomy and drainage?

H. pylori is currently identified as the dominant risk factor for chronic duodenal ulcer. The effect of surgery in the form of truncal vagotomy and drainage on the H. pylori status is not well known. Forty three patients with obstructed duodenal ulcer who were positive for H. pylori preoperatively by the urease test on the antral mucosal biopsy specimens were recalled for repeat endoscopy and urease test from the same site at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and more than 1 year after surgery. The H. pylori positivity declined from 100% preoperatively to 69%, 71%, 73% and 80% at these intervals postoperatively respectively. The fall in H. pylori status after surgery was significant at all intervals. Since surgery for duodenal ulcer in the form of truncal vagotomy and drainage is curative for duodenal ulcer in over 90% of patients whereas H. pylori is suppressed in approximately 20% of patients only, it appears that its effect is independent of H. pylori status. Further studies are required to confirm whether a fall in H. pylori positivity in the antrum is absolute or is due to proximal migration of the organism.