title: Perforated peptic ulcer: laparoscopic approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the suitability of a laparoscopic approach for treatment of perforated peptic ulcer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective non-randomised study.
  
  
  METHODS
  District Community Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  30 patients who presented with perforated peptic ulcers between November 1992 and October 1997
  
  
  METHODS
  16 patients were operated on laparoscopically, and 14 by open operation (as there was no surgeon available with laparoscopic experience).
  
  
  METHODS
  Morbidity and mortality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The laparoscopic operation was successful in all but one patient, whose operation was converted to an open procedure because we could not see the ulcer adequately. Duration of operation and postoperative nasogastric aspiration, analgesic requirements, hospital stay, morbidity, and mortality were similar in the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic repair of a perforated peptic ulcer is safe in selected patients in whom a laparotomy should be avoided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Ospedale Civile, Vittorio Veneto (TV), Italy.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Michelet
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Agresta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010439:Peptic Ulcer Perforation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*