[Gastrontestinal hemorrhage following thoracic surgery]

The authors discuss eight cases who suffered hemorrhaging stress ulcers out of 200 cases on whom Thoracotomies were performed. Presented is the common factor of the onset of this complication, it's diagnosis, and therapy. Listed below are the diagnoses and operative procedures used on these eight patients. Cysta Aerea Permagna Lobi Inf. Pulm. Dexter/operation: Mytomis Longitudinalis Ooesophagi. Caverna Bronchiectatica Permagna Lobi Inferior Pulmo Dexter/operation: Lobestomia Typica. Echinococcus Heaptis Complicatus, Empyema Pleurae Dexter/opetation: Decorticatio. Haemathorax Spontaneous Lobus Sinister/operation: Decorticatio Pleurae Sinister. Echi Comp. Cupolae Hepatis Permagnus/operation: Thoracotomia Phrenotomia, evacuatio, Triplex Drainage. Bronchiectasiae Lobi Medius et Inferior Pulmo Dexter/operation: Biblobectomia Typica. Carcinoma Bronchi Lobi Inferior Pulmo Dexter/operation: Lobectomia Typica. Gastric problems had troubled four of these eight patients in their past history. Bleeding in three patients occurred three days postoperatively, and in the remaining five, thirty days following their operation. Six patients had to be treated conservatively because of serious contraindications to reoperation. Four of them expired. Autopsy revealed: Pyothorax, Dehiscention Bronchi, Empyema, and Gastritis Errosiva with multiulcerations, hemoragia, and dilatation of the right heart. Two patients with recent stress ulcers were reoperated on, and were cured. The authors estimate that the occurrence of hemorrhaging stress ulcer following thoracic surgery are basically due to Hypoxia. The chain of events whic brought about the stress ulcer, however, began even before the operation, continued throughout the operation, and appeared postoperatively due to postoperative complications. The authors point out that these complications can be foreseen (early and late), but firstly, an attempt should be made to treat the patient with conservative therapy. Inasmuch as the hemorrhaging does not respond to conservative measures, conservative surgery is indicated; Suture and Vagotomy, and eventually pyloroplasty.