Gastric acid study in patients operated on for perforated duodenal ulcer.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the acid secretory status of patients operated on for perforated duodenal ulcer, with or without prior history suggestive of acid-peptic disease.


METHODS
Basal and peak acid output were measured in 48 patients with perforated duodenal ulcer who were treated by simple closure alone, 10 patients with uncomplicated chronic duodenal ulcer and 30 normal controls. Patients operated on for perforated duodenal ulcer were analyzed according to presence (or absence) and duration of prior history of acid-peptic disease.


RESULTS
Peak acid output was similar in controls and patients with perforated duodenal ulcer with no prior symptoms. However, patients with prior symptoms had significantly higher peak acid output, similar to those with uncomplicated duodenal ulcer.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with perforated duodenal ulcer with no antecedent history of acid-peptic disease have normal gastric acid output. These patients may therefore have other etiological factors for their ulcers.
Lala
A K
AK
Department of Surgery, Safdarjang Hospital, New Delhi.
Rai
P C
PC
Ramachandran
K
K
Jain
S
S
Chaudhury
R
R
D000328:Adult; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D005745:Gastric Acidity Determination; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010439:Peptic Ulcer Perforation / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery