What is the purpose of a vagotomy?

The purpose of a vagotomy is to reduce stomach acid secretion. This surgical procedure involves cutting the vagus nerve, which is responsible for stimulating gastric acid production in the stomach. By interrupting the signals from the vagus nerve, vagotomy effectively decreases the amount of acid secreted by the gastric glands. This is particularly beneficial in the treatment of peptic ulcers, as reducing stomach acid can help prevent the ulcer from becoming aggravated and promote healing.

In the context of surgical procedures, the reduction of stomach acid is critical as it can alleviate symptoms associated with acid reflux and reduce the risk of ulcer recurrence. Therefore, the answer that highlights the reduction of stomach acid secretion accurately captures the main objective of performing a vagotomy.