Current approach in the treatment of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

On the basis of six surgically operated patients, current thinking with regard to the treatment of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is outlined. Total gastrectomy which for many years was the most common surgical intervention, is now confined to just a very specially indicated few cases because the introduction of anti-H2 gives good control of gastric secretion. The operation should therefore be targeted at removing the gastrinoma, helped in this by modern methodologies for pinpointing the neoplasia. Long-term however include a certain number of failures.