Balfour Method

BALFOUR METHOD (Balfour) for treating gastric ulcers, proposed in 1918 by the American surgeon Balfour, a student of Mayo, consists in cauterizing them with a thermocautery, especially in the case when ulcers are located on the lesser curvature near the cardia. In 186 cases, Balfour applied his method with a mortality rate of less than 1%. This method consists of the following: laparotomy, exposure of the peritoneal surface of the ulcer from adhesions and scars, cauterization of the ulcer from the peritoneal side with a thermocautery (pacelene) through the entire thickness of the stomach wall, suturing the opening with mattress sutures, gastroenterostomy. The advantage of the method: simplicity and relative safety, rapid recovery. With the exception of two fatal cases, all patients completely recovered, symptoms of gastric ulcer disappeared. The favorable effect on the pathological process, in Balfour's opinion, lies in the fact that under the influence of high temperature during cauterization of the ulcer, the bacteria inhabiting it die, as well as cancer cells in the beginning of malignant degeneration of the ulcer; in addition, Balfour believes that perforated ulcers heal much faster than uncomplicated ulcers. Lit.: Balfour D., Cautery excision of gastric ulcer, Annals of surgery, 1918, v. LXVII, №6.