[Value of surgery in treatment of complicated gastroduodenal ulcer]

The surgical procedure in acute complications of gastroduodenal ulcers is examined with regard to risk factors and mortality. Emergency admissions to an Austrian district hospital between 1. 1. 1984 and 31. 8. 1992 for peptic ulcer are retrospectively analyzed. 293 patients were admitted with a history of bleeding ulcers. Endoscopic haemostasis was achieved in 91 of 130 (70%) patients with active haemorrhage (Forrest Ia, Ib). For the other 39 patients with active haemorrhage as well as for 16 of 65 patients with signs of previous bleeding (Forrest II) emergency surgery was necessary. 33 patients were admitted for perforated ulcers and all underwent emergency surgery. Distral gastric resections were performed in 98% of cases (54/55) with bleeding ulcers and in 91% of cases (30/33) with perforated ulcers. The surgically treated patients had a high percentage of accompanying illness and females were significantly older (mean 68 years) than males (55 years) (p < 0.01). Postoperative mortality was 9.1% (5/55) for bleeding peptic ulcers and 6.1% (2/33) for perforated ulcers. Furthermore, mortality was zero in patients younger than 60 years (0/44), but 15.9% (7/44) in patients older than 60 years. Distal gastric resection was chosen as standard procedure for emergency operations.