Possibilities of surgical treatment of peptic ulcer

Decrease, or elimination of vagally stimulated gastric secretion, particularly during the night — by whatever means — is followed by healing of gastric and duodenal ulcers and is very effective in preventing recurrence. This would appear an important clue to one crucial pathogenic factor in gastroduodenal ulcer disease. ‘Vagal autosabotage’ — particularly at night — appears to be the final link in the chain of events leading to the disease and its tendency to recurrence.