[Increase in mortality of perforating gastroduodenal ulcer. Observations over 40 years]

Retrospective analysis of 725 patients with perforated gastroduodenal ulcer treated at our institution between 1946 and 1985 revealed an increase of hospital mortality from 13.5 percent (1946-1955) to 19.5 percent (1976-1985). Age, site of perforation, interval and the degree of peritonitis were identified as significant prognosticators. Changes of these features are held responsible for increased hospital mortality of patients with perforated gastroduodenal ulcer.