[Laparoscopic and conventional suture of perforated peptic ulcers--a comparison]

After the first successful laparoscopic closure of a perforated peptic ulcer in 1990, 13 consecutive patients with laparoscopic closure were compared to 8 previous patients with conventional surgery. The endpoints adverse advents (complications), pain intensity, fever, leucocytosis and hospital stay showed no clinically relevant differences. Consumption of analgesics was lower in the laparoscopy group. Laparoscopic closure of perforated peptic ulcer is technically feasible. The safety of the method and the benefit for the patient need proof by a randomized controlled trial.