[Results of laparoscopic treatment of perforated ulcers]

The aim of this retrospective survey was to evaluate the results of laparoscopic treatment in perforated peptic ulcer.

From 1989 to 1998, 84 patients were operated on for perforated ulcer. Sixty nine patients, operated on with videolaparoscopy, were included in this study: 53 men and 12 women with a mean age of 45 +/- 16 years (19-85). Nine had a history of peptic ulcer disease and 12 received anti-inflammatory drugs. Perforation occurred in the duodenum (60 patients) and in the stomach (five patients). Laparoscopic treatment included peritoneal lavage and either a simple duodenal closure (51 patients), a closure with a highly selective vagotomy (one patient), an epiplooplasty (eight patients), or an excision-closure for the gastric ulcers (five patients). Drainage was associated in 38 patients (58%).

A conversion into laparotomy was necessary in six patients. Among the 59 patients treated with laparoscopy, 56 were only managed laparoscopically, three had exploration and peritoneal lavage through laparoscopy, and underwent suture of the perforation through minilaparotomy. Mean operative time was 105 +/- 40 minutes (30-240). Mean postoperative hospital stay was 8.2 +/- 4 days. Reoperation was performed in three patients for leakage (n = 2) and gall bladder perforation (n = 1). Complications were medically treated in three patients. There was no in-hospital mortality.

Laparoscopic management in perforated peptic ulcer is successful in 90% of the patients. Results are good. There was no postoperative death in this series.