[Stress ulcer following head and neck surgery--a clinicopathological study]

A clinicopathological study of 6 cases of stress ulcer following head and neck surgery treated at Kurume University Hospital from 1986 to 1989 was completed. The results of this study are summarized as follows: 1) 4 cases were male and 2 cases were female. The average age was 71 years. 2) All cases were found after head and neck surgery of malignant tumors. 3) The frequency was 0.3% in all surgical cases, and 1.2% in surgical cases of malignant tumors. 4) Of these 6 cases, 3 cases were found after surgery of maxilla. 5) The majority of stress ulcer occurred suddenly and early after surgery. 6) The majority of stress ulcer occurred in the upper portion of the body of stomach. 7) Operation was performed in all cases. 8) Five cases were cured by surgery. One case was died of cardiac failure. 9) It is important to know that the stress ulcer following head and neck surgery of malignant tumor is not rare, and to take care of it after surgery.