Laparoscopic repair of ruptured duodenal peptic ulcer: a case report

Ruptured duodenal peptic ulcer is a serious complication of ulcer disease that occurs in approximately 5% of cases and accounts for over 70% of deaths associated with peptic ulcer disease. This case report details the management of a 67-year-old male with a ruptured duodenal peptic ulcer who presented to the emergency room with acute onset of severe abdominal pain. There was no past history of ulcer disease. An abdominal x-ray suggested the presence of free air, and diagnostic laparoscopy was performed. The superior exposure afforded by this minimally invasive technique not only permitted an exact diagnosis to be made, but also afforded a means to expeditiously correct the pathologic defect.