Impact of ranitidine on prognosis after simple closure of perforated duodenal ulcer.
OBJECTIVE
This randomized controlled study was carried out to evaluate the role of H2 receptor antagonists after simple closure of perforated duodenal ulcer.


METHODS
A total of 192 patients who underwent simple closure for perforated duodenal ulcer were divided into two groups (A: study group and B: control group). Group A patients were treated with H2 receptor antagonists, while the patients in group B received placebo. Only 174 patients were available for endoscopic follow up.


RESULTS
At the end of 24 weeks, only 6 patients out of 90 (6.6%) in group A as compared to 18 patients out of 84 (21.4%) in group B had persistent symptoms of ulcer disease as well as endoscopically proven ulcer (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that H2 receptor antagonists have a definite role and endoscopic follow up is mandatory to define those cases who actually need definitive surgery.
Singh
K
K
Dayanand Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
Chhina
R S
RS
Ghosh
A
A
Kaura
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010439:Peptic Ulcer Perforation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011379:Prognosis; D011899:Ranitidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D011899:Ranitidine