Perforated peptic ulcer: a comparison of long term results following partial gastric resection or simple closure

The results of simple closure were compared with those of partial resection in the treatment of perforated peptic ulcer. The investigation was carried out 7-13 years after the primary operation on 126 patients who had been allotted to one of the two treatment methods on the basis of an almost randomized schedule. Better late results were obtained with partial resection than with simple closure in patients in the age range 50-59 years at operation, with short duration of perforation and with a long history of symptoms before perforation. None of the patients treated with partial resection later underwent surgical treatment for recurrence of symptoms. In the simple closure group 27.3 per cent needed further surgery at 3 months to 10 years after perforation.