[Anti H2 receptors and perforated peptic ulcer. Review of 442 cases]

H2 blockers have accelerated the reduction in elective peptic ulcer surgery but appear to have had no equivalent effect on the incidence of perforated ulcer success. A 13 year (1975-1987) review of perforated peptic ulcer is presented. The mean annual number of operations for perforation fell from 8.21% to 4.93% after 1980, while the number of operations for perforated gastric ulcer in this period was almost unchanged. A significant reduction was found in mean annual rates for perforated duodenal ulcer from 6.86% to 3.82% after 1980, while the number of operations for perforated gastric ulcer in this period was almost unchanged.