[Treatment of perforated duodenal ulcer. Our experience]

Personal experience in the treatment of perforated duodenal ulcers is reported. The 78 patients concerned were divided into two groups (operated on before or after the introduction of anti-HZ antihistamines) and were encountered between 1-1-1972 and 30-12-1986. The results were generally satisfactory: mortality (operative and postoperative) 5.1%; postoperative complications 6.4%; recurring ulceration 1-5 years after surgery 6.4%. The most successful operations (lowest death and complication rates, shortest hospital stay) were simple suturing and suturing combined with superselective vagotomy. Analysis of the results show that the success of the operation was significantly influenced by the following factors: patient's age and general condition, associated diseases, time of onset of the ulceration prior to perforation and above all the length of time between the perforation and the operation i.e. the presence or absence of peritonitis. Simple suturing should always be used where possible, particularly now we have the anti-H2 drugs. Superselective vagotomy combined with suturing is the definitive surgical treatment of choice and produced no deaths or complications in the 13 patients given this treatment.