EXTENSIVE PARTIAL GASTRECTOMY AS THE SURGICAL TREATMENT OF CHRONIC GASTRIC ULCER

Summary 1 Six patients who gave a history of gastric symptoms of long duration associated with consistant pain have been submitted to partial gastrectomy with no mortality. 2 Medical treatment under hospital regime gave only partial or temporary relief. 3 The gross pathological condition found at operation confirmed the long-standing nature of the disease with no evidence of complete healing, but showed evidence of slow progression towards deep penetration and perforation. 4 In four cases hiyperchlorhydria was transformed into achlorhydria. 5 Partial gastrectomy gave immediate relief in all cases, with no return of symptoms up to a period of twelve months. 6 Partial gastrectomy removes the “ulcer-bearing” and “acid-secreting” areas, and eliminates the possibility of malignant change. 7 Partial gastrertomy was attended by comparatively little Shock, both operative and post-operative. 8 In view of the gross pathological change found, nothing less than partial gastrectoniy was indicated or held out any hope of permanent cure.