RT Journal
A1 Donahue PE
T1 ULcer surgery and highly selective vagotomy—y2k
JF Archives of Surgery
JO Archives of Surgery
YR 1999
FD December 1
VO 134
IS 12
SP 1373
OP 1377
DO 10.1001/archsurg.134.12.1373
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archsurg.134.12.1373
AB 
WHILE ulcerations of the stomach and duodenum remained common entities in the latter half of the 20th century, the number of operations performed for ulcer declined remarkably. Medical treatments became effective as specific medications (the histamine-receptor antagonists and proton-pump inhibitors [PPIs]) eliminated the deleterious effects of intraluminal acid, greatly reducing the need for operations.1 Subsequently, bacterial infection was proven to be a major risk factor for gastric and duodenal ulcers, especially for ulcer recurrence, which was eliminated in 98% of those at risk by antibiotics directed against Helicobacter species.2- 3 For the first time in history, medical treatments for ulcer were clearly more effective than ulcer operations; ulcer surgery, once the only "definitive" therapy, is perceived as a heroic intervention, reserved for patients without other alternatives.