Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in peptic ulcer perforations.
BACKGROUND
Most patients with chronic peptic ulcer disease have Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. In the past, immediate acid-reduction surgery has been strongly advocated for perforated peptic ulcers because of the high incidence of ulcer relapse after simple closure. Simple oversewing procedures either by an open or laparoscopic approach together with H. pylori eradication appear to supersede definitive ulcer surgery.


METHODS
In 47 consecutive patients (mean age = 64 years, range 27-91) suffering from acute peptic ulcer perforation the preoperative presence of H. pylori (CLO test), the surgical procedure (laparoscopy or open surgery), the outcome of surgery, and the success of H. pylori eradication with a triple regimen were prospectively studied.


RESULTS
Of these patients 73.3% were positive for H. pylori, regardless of the previous use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Thirty-eight per cent underwent a simple laparoscopic repair. Conversion rate to laparotomy reached a high of 32%. The main reasons for conversion were the size of the ulcer, and/or diffuse peritonitis for a duration of over 12 hours with fibrous membranes difficult to remove laparoscopically. In the H. pylori positive patients, eradication was successful in 96% of the cases. Mortality and morbidity rates were greater in the laparoscopic group (p < 0.05). Follow-up (median 43.5 months) revealed no need for reoperation for peptic ulcer disease and no mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
We have found a high prevalence of H. pylori infection in patients with perforated peptic ulcers. An immediate and appropriate H. pylori eradication therapy for perforated peptic ulcers reduces the relapse rate after simple closure. Response rate to a triple eradication protocol was excellent in the hospital setting.
Metzger
J
J
Surgical Department, University Hospital of Basel, Switzerland. metzgerj@bluewin.ch
Styger
S
S
Sieber
C
C
von Flüe
M
M
Vogelbach
P
P
Harder
F
F
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D004384:Duodenoscopy; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy; D005773:Gastroscopy; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010439:Peptic Ulcer Perforation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D015996:Survival Rate; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology