Pylorectomy and prepyloric antrectomy for gastric ulcer.

From July 1970 to May 1977 79 patients with chronic gastric ulcer were submitted to a pylorectomy and prepyloric antrectomy (only 4--5 cm of the distal stomach being removed). In most, the excision extended in the form of a narrow tongue along the lesser curvature to include the ulcer. Vagotomy was added when signs of a healed or active duodenal ulcer were seen (19 cases). Associated lesions in the distal stomach were detected in 38 more patients. Up to the present no recurrence has been observed and functional results have been satisfactory in 90 per cent of patients. Preliminary results show that this operation produces a satisfactory cure for gastric ulcer, thus making more extensive resections unnecessary.