Patty developed a severe peptic ulcer. A change in diet did not seem to help and
ID: 3514086 • Letter: P
Question
Patty developed a severe peptic ulcer. A change in diet did not seem to help and pharmaceuticals only provided temporary relief. Her physician suggested that cutting the vagal nerve supply to the stomach may help her. Explain why this surgery would help.
What side effects might also be expected from such a procedure?
Many cases of peptic ulcer are due to an infection by a bacterium, Helicobacter pylori. In this case vagal nerve surgery is not called for. What simple treatment would resolve a peptic ulcer caused by this bacterium?
Explanation / Answer
The vagus nerve play a central role in gastric acid production. So if other treatment to reduce gastricacid production and control peptic ulcer, vagotomy is the procedure.
Side effects of procedure include injury to phrenic vein and left hepatic vein, injury to left lateral segment of liver, injury to wall of eosophagus, delayed gadtric emptying etc
Treatment of peptic ulcer caused by H. Pylory infection: one or two effective antibiotic such as tetracyclin, amoxycillin, metronidazole or clarithromycin plus either ranitidine or proton pump inhibitor for two weeks