Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with ulcer recurrence after partial gastrectomy.

Background/aims: Recurrent ulceration of the stomach occurs in some patients after surgery for peptic ulcer disease. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association of Helicobacter pylori infection with ulcer recurrence in patients after partial gastrectomy due to peptic ulcer disease.

Methodology: A total of 186 patients after partial gastrectomy with Billroth I or Billroth II anastomosis presenting with dyspepsia or bleeding were included. An ulcer recurrence was documented by endoscopic examination. Biopsy specimens were taken from the remnant gastric bodies in all patients. H. pylori infection was diagnosed by either a positive biopsy urease test or the presence of the microorganism on histology.

Results: Eighty-three (44.6%) patients among the 186 patients had recurrent ulcers. H. pylori infection was found in 29 (36%) patients in the ulcer group and 42 (41%) patients in the non-ulcer group. The incidence of H. pylori infection did not differ significantly between the two groups (P>0.05).

Conclusions: H. pylori infection may not play an important role in the pathogenesis of recurrent ulcer after partial gastrectomy. Other factors should be studied further.