[Endoscopic treatment of bleeding gastroduodenal ulcers].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to assess the extent to which GI endoscopic treatment of bleeding gastroduodenal ulcers is effective and whether it could reduce the need for surgery.


METHODS
A retrospective evaluation was carried out. Over a period of three years (1995-1997), 122 patients with bleeding caused by a gastroduodenal ulcer, defined as fresh haematemesis with or without melaena, old haematemesis with melaena or melaena accompanied by a systolic blood pressure below 80 mmHg, underwent emergency GI endoscopy. Endoscopic therapy consisted of either injection therapy or electrocoagulation.


RESULTS
Altogether 72 patients received endoscopic treatment. Primary haemostasis was achieved in 94%. Definitive haemostasis after one endoscopic treatment with either injection therapy or electrocoagulation was achieved in 63% and 62%, respectively. Including repeated endoscopic treatment, definitive haemostasis was achieved in 79%. No direct complications of the treatment were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Endoscopic treatment of bleeding gastroduodenal ulcers is the only alternative to an operation. Endoscopic treatment can reduce the need for surgery, as it was effective in about 80% of the patients.
Højer
A M
AM
Bak-Christensen
A
A
Brahe
N E
NE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000601:surgery*; D004564:Electrocoagulation; D004630:Emergencies; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005260:Female; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010438:Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000601:surgery*
D006490:Hemostatics