PERFORATED DUODENAL ULCER

Abstract

Objective: Perforated duodenal ulcer is a common surgical emergency.
Controversy exists regarding simple closure of perforation or definitive surgery in emergency setting. The objective of
the study is to see the result of simple closure of perforated duodenal ulcer followed by eradication of H. Pylori in young
soldiers. Design: Descriptive and analytical. Place and duration of study: This study was carried out at CMH
Kharian/CMH Rawalpindi between Jan 1998 to June 2002. Subject and method: Fifty three young soldiers presenting
with perforated duodenal ulcer were included in the study. They were treated with simple closure of perforation followed
by eradication of H. Pylori. These patients were followed up in OPD for two years. Depending upon their symptoms they
were placed in different Visick grades. Result: Six patients (11.3%) were lost in followup and excluded from the study.
Out of remaining forty seven patients thirty nine patients (82.5%) remained asymptomatic and did not require further
treatment. Four patients (8.5%) required symptomatic treatment. Three patients (6.3%) required another course of
omeprazole. One of them (2.1%) required vagotomy and gastrojejunostomy for gastric outlet obstruction. Conclusion:
It was concluded that simple closure of perforation with H. Pylori eradication is a simple and safe procedure to treat this
emergency.