The management of large perforations of duodenal ulcers.
BACKGROUND
Duodenal ulcer perforations are a common surgical emergency, but literature is silent on the exact definition, incidence, management and complications of large perforations of duodenal ulcers.


METHODS
The case files of 162 patients who underwent emergency laparotomy for duodenal ulcer perforations over a period of three years (2001 - 2003) were retrospectively reviewed and sorted into groups based on the size of the perforations - one group was defined as 'small 'perforations (less than 1 cm in diameter), another 'large' (when the perforation was more than 1 cm but less than 3 cms), and the third, 'giant'(when the perforation exceeded 3 cm). These groups of patients were then compared with each other in regard to the patient particulars, duration of symptoms, surgery performed and the outcome.


RESULTS
A total of 40 patients were identified to have duodenal ulcer perforations more than 1 cm in size, thus accounting for nearly 25 % of all duodenal ulcer perforations operated during this period. These patients had a significantly higher incidence of leak, morbidity and mortality when compared to those with smaller perforations.


CONCLUSIONS
There are three distinct types of perforations of duodenal ulcers that are encountered in clinical practice. The first, are the 'small' perforations that are easy to manage and have low morbidity and mortality. The second are the 'large' perforations, that are also not uncommon, and omental patch closure gives the best results even in this subset of patients. The word 'giant' should be reserved for perforations that exceed 3 cms in diameter, and these are extremely uncommon.
Gupta
Sanjay
S
Department of Surgery, Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh 160 030 India. sandiv99@yahoo.co.uk <sandiv99@yahoo.co.uk>
Kaushik
Robin
R
Sharma
Rajeev
R
Attri
Ashok
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009852:Omentum / Q000601:surgery; D010439:Peptic Ulcer Perforation / Q000145:classification* / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index