About Highly Selective Vagotomy
Key Highlights
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Targeted reduction of stomach acid production (up to 80-90%) to heal ulcers.Preserves stomach emptying function, avoiding the need for a drainage procedure.Minimally invasive approach (often laparoscopic) for smaller incisions and less scarring.Significantly lower risk of post-vagotomy syndromes like dumping and diarrhea compared to truncal vagotomy.Effective long-term solution for ulcers unresponsive to medication (e.g., PPIs) and H. pylori eradication.
Who is this surgery for?
- Chronic duodenal ulcers that are recurrent or intractable to maximum medical therapy (proton pump inhibitors).
- Peptic ulcers with complications like bleeding or perforation that are not amenable to endoscopic control.
- Patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (gastrinoma) where acid control is critical.
- Cases where long-term, high-dose anti-ulcer medication is undesirable or causes side effects.
- As a definitive surgical option when endoscopic and pharmacological management has failed.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive pre-operative evaluation including endoscopy, imaging, and tests to confirm ulcer location and rule out malignancy.
- Complete cessation of NSAIDs, blood thinners (like aspirin, warfarin), and certain supplements as advised by the doctor.
- Pre-operative fasting for 8-12 hours to ensure an empty stomach.
- Administration of prophylactic antibiotics to prevent surgical site infection.
- Discussion of anesthesia options and obtaining informed consent for the procedure.
Risks & possible complications
- Standard surgical risks: infection, bleeding, adverse reaction to anesthesia.
- Incomplete vagotomy leading to ulcer recurrence.
- Inadvertent injury to nearby structures like the esophagus, spleen, or liver.
- Gas bloat syndrome or mild delayed gastric emptying in some patients.
- Very low risk of post-vagotomy diarrhea or dumping syndrome compared to other vagotomy types.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Hospital stay typically lasts 2-4 days for monitoring and initial pain management.
- Diet begins with clear liquids, advancing to soft foods as tolerated over several days.
- Pain at incision sites is managed with prescribed medications.
- Patients are advised to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity for 4-6 weeks.
- Follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor healing, assess acid levels, and ensure ulcer resolution.
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Typical hospital stay: 2-4 days
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Expected recovery time: 4-6 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering highly selective vagotomy in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for highly selective vagotomy in India include Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, KMC Hospital Mangalore, Manipal Hospital Baner, Manipal Hospital Dwarka, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform highly selective vagotomy. MediFyr helps you compare gastroenterologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for highly selective vagotomy compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Highly Selective Vagotomy in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated gastroenterology teams and experience managing patients undergoing highly selective vagotomy.
Ananya Das, a 42-year-old software engineer...
Ananya Das, a 42-year-old software engineer and mother of two, had struggled with severe duodenal ulcers for over a decade. Despite strict adherence to high-dose proton pump inhibitors and multiple rounds of H. pylori eradication, she experienced recurrent episodes of burning epigastric pain, nausea, and occasional bleeding that disrupted her work and family life. Her gastroenterologist, Dr. Rao, explained that her ulcers were refractory to maximal medical therapy and that a Highly Selective Vagotomy (HSV) could reduce the acid secretion driving her ulcers while preserving normal stomach emptying, avoiding the side effects of a traditional vagotomy. Ananya was terrified of surgery but exhausted by the constant pain. The laparoscopic procedure went smoothly. Her recovery involved a few days of hospital stay on a liquid diet, transitioning to soft foods. Within six weeks, her ulcer pain had resolved completely. She no longer needed acid-suppressing medication. Emotionally, she moved from a state of chronic anxiety and frustration about her uncontrollable health to profound relief and regained control. She could finally enjoy meals with her family without fear.
Gastroenterologists for Highly Selective Vagotomy
Explore experienced gastroenterologists who regularly perform highly selective vagotomy and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 25 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 34 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 20 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 39 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 11 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 11 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 8 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 14 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 18 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 49 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 35 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 32 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 30 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 30 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 21 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 21 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 10 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 9 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai