Severalrecent reports suggest a relationship between infections caused by Helicobacter species and gastrointestinal tract disease. As noted by Dr Kozol, there is good evidence that antibiotic treatment directed at the eradication of Helicobacter infection, in conjunction with suppression of gastric acid secretion, is an effective way of dealing with duodenal and gastric ulcers. Furthermore, a National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, Md) Consensus Statement1 concluded that although all infected patients with ulcers should be treated, even those with a history of concomitant use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, there was insufficient evidence to justify the treatment of infected individuals who do not have demonstrable mucosal lesions.
Confronted by the barrage of information surrounding Helicobacter species and their putative role in the causality of ulcers, it is appropriate that the role of surgical interventions for ulcer be reevaluated. When this important topic was considered prior to the current information about Helicobacter species