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World J Gastroenterol. May 28, 2006; 12(20): 3248-3252
Published online May 28, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i20.3248
Surgical perspectives in peptic ulcer disease and gastritis
Tamar Lipof, David Shapiro, Robert A Kozol
Tamar Lipof, David Shapiro, Robert A Kozol, Department of Surgery, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, 263 Farmington Avenue, MC 3955 Farmington, CT 06030-3955, United States
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Robert A Kozol, MD, Department of Surgery, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Professor and Chairman, 263 Farmington Avenue, MC 3955 Farmington, CT 06030-3955, United States. kozol@nso.uchc.edu
Telephone: +1-860-6794801 Fax: +1-860-6791847
Received: March 29, 2006
Revised: April 6, 2006
Accepted: April 16, 2006
Published online: May 28, 2006
Abstract

For much of the twentieth century, surgery was frequently the solution for peptic ulcer disease. Our understanding of the pathophysiology of ulcers paralleled the development of potent pharmaceutical therapy. As the surgical world developed parietal cell vagotomy which would minimize the complications of surgery, patients failing medical therapy became rare. Emergent surgery for complicated peptic ulcers has not declined however. The development of proton pump inhibitors and the full understanding of the impact of H pylori has led to a trend towards minimalism in surgical therapy for complicated peptic ulcer disease. In addition to the changes in patient care, these developments have had an impact on the training of surgeons. This article outlines these trends and developments.

Keywords: Perspectives; Peptic ulcer disease; Gastritis