title: Perforated peptic ulcer at the J.G. Strijdom Hospital. A retrospective study of 99 patients.
abstract: This is a retrospective analysis of 99 patients with perforated peptic ulcer treated in the Department of Surgery at the J. G. Strijdom Hospital over a 6-year period. The incidence of this condition is increasing in our population. The mortality rate for perforated peptic ulcer remains high (12.1%). Forty-three per cent of our patients were suffering from a major medical illness at the time of perforation, with a mortality rate of 25.6%. The mortality rate for relatively fit patients was 1.8%. While more conservative surgery is indicated for high-risk patients, a definitive ulcer operation can be performed safely in patients who are not suffering from a major medical illness. Our selective operative policy is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010439:Peptic Ulcer Perforation / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D012907:Smoking; D013019:South Africa; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000150:complications*