in Highly selective vagotomy distal “6-8 cm of oesophagus is skeletonised”
what’s the meaning of this and why we are doing this .
In highly selective vagotomy, the distal 6-8 cm of the esophagus is skeletonized, which means that the nerve fibers of the vagus nerve are carefully dissected and preserved while removing the surrounding tissue. This procedure is performed to treat certain gastrointestinal conditions, most commonly peptic ulcers.
The vagus nerve plays an important role in regulating various functions of the digestive system, including the production of stomach acid and the movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract. By selectively cutting the branches of the vagus nerve that innervate the acid-producing cells of the stomach (parietal cells) while preserving other functions, highly selective vagotomy aims to reduce the acid secretion while maintaining normal digestive processes.
By removing a specific segment of the vagus nerve near the esophagus, this procedure helps to decrease the risk of acid reflux, which can contribute to the development or worsening of peptic ulcers. By reducing acid production, highly selective vagotomy promotes healing of existing ulcers and prevents the formation of new ones.
It’s important to note that this procedure is typically performed alongside other surgical interventions, such as gastric resection or pyloroplasty, to optimize the treatment outcome for specific gastrointestinal conditions. The exact surgical approach and the decision to perform a highly selective vagotomy would be determined based on the individual patient’s condition and the recommendation of their healthcare provider.