[New methods of managing massive upper gastrointestinal bleedings (author's transl)]

A four year experience in the management of 585 patients with massive upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding (U. G. I. B.)has been reviewed. The effect of routine fiberoptic gastroscopy, selective angiography, and selective pitressin arterial infusion has been analyzed as it effects the more accurate diagnosis and better non-operative therapy of these dangerously ill patients. Duodenal and gastric ulcer, which comprise one-half of such patients, are best treated by early operation. Mallory-Weiss-syndrome is more frequent than previously appreciated. Pitressin infusion is worthy of trial in diffuse gastritis, varicose- and stress ulcer bleeding. Stress bleeding is usually one manifestation of multiple organ failure due to bacterial sepsis.