Epidemiology of duodenal ulcer perforation: a study on hospital admissions in Norfolk, United Kingdom

A Conservative Management of Perforated Peptic Ulcer: A Case Report

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a surgical emergency that affects the mucosal lining of the stomach or proximal intestine. Complications of PUD include upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage, perforation, and obstruction. The primary management approach for perforated peptic ulcers is surgery, but conservative management can be conducted in selected cases. A 54-year-old female was referred to the surgical unit with a history of severe upper abdominal pain and repeated vomiting. No other symptoms were reported and there was no significant medical or family history except the history of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Examination revealed that the patient had a medical condition. was vitally stable with tenderness in the upper abdomen, in particular the epigastric and right hypochondrial, but no signs of generalized peritonitis. Her white cell count was elevated at 24,000x10^3/UL, and a C-reactive protein of 45.5 mg/dL. An upright CXR revealed the classic gas under the diaphragm. Abdominal CT with oral gastrograffin identified the diagnosis of perforated duodenal ulcer without ulcer leak. The case was treated by conservative management started with resuscitation, nil per os, IV fluid, IV antibiotics, and close observation and the patient was stable with no complications and completed the nonoperative management successfully till discharge after 10 days of hospital stay. The case illustrates that although this condition is uncommon to be treated without surgical intervention, there are some factors and criteria for successful NOM. Peptic ulcer perforation is a life-threatening surgical emergency. Surgery is the standard treatment for PPU and NOM can be conducted safely and successfully in highly selected cases. the surgeon should keep a wide safety window while providing nonstandard management with readiness to operate at any time. We believe that the main factor in successful nonsurgical management of our case is being fasted for a long time before perforation.

Seasonal Variation of Presentation of Perforated Peptic Ulcer Disease: An Overview of Patient Demographics, Management and Outcomes

Background

Perforated peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is one of the most common causes of acute peritonitis. It carries significant mortality and morbidity. Several previous studies have reported a seasonal variation in the presentation of patients with perforated ulcers. Here we present this study from our experience in a Northern Irish acute district hospital.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on perforated peptic ulcer patients who presented to Altnagelvin Area Hospital emergency department between 2015 to 2020. Data on patient demographics, clinical presentation, investigations, management and outcomes were collected. Primary outcome was to investigate if seasonality was associated with the incidence of perforated peptic ulcers. Follow-up data were also collected. Seasons were defined as per UK Met Office.

Results

A total of 50 patients presented with perforated PUD. Male to female ratio was approximately 3:2. Peaks were noted in spring and winter. April was the most common month for presentation followed by December. Smoking was the most common risk factor followed by alcohol abuse. Fourteen patients (28%) were either very frail or had contained perforations and were conservatively managed. Three deaths were noted (6%). Thirteen patients (26%) required ICU admission at some stage in their management.

Conclusion

Slight seasonal variation was noted in the presentation of perforated peptic ulcers in our study with a higher incidence in the winter and spring months. The month of April was noted to have the peak incidence of the disease in our study.

Double Perforated Kissing Ulcers of Duodenum: A Brief Report

Helicobactor pylori infection has been associated with peptic ulcer disease and is currently treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which have reduced the complications of the disease. Perforation of either a gastric or duodenal ulcer is rarely treated with surgery. We report the case of double-perforated synchronous duodenal ulcers, which is an extremely infrequent condition. To our knowledge, no English case reports have yet been published. Therefore, awareness of the physician in the field of diagnosis and treatment of this peptic ulcer is required. We report the case of a 46-year-old male patient who presented with acute abdominal pain at the emergency surgical department of our hospital. According to patient history, smoking, alcohol consumption, and frequent postprandial abdominal pain were noted. A physical examination revealed a rigid abdomen and tachycardia, and the temperature was 37.8°C. Laboratory testing showed increased levels of leukocytes, and free subdiaphragmatic air was found in the chest X-ray. Due to rapid deterioration of his clinical condition, the patient underwent urgent surgery. An explorative laparotomy showed 2 perforated kissing ulcers at the first segment of the duodenum, in the anterior and posterior walls. A peripheral gastrectomy was performed. Postoperative follow-up did not result in any complications. In regard to this case we present, simultaneous perforation of two synchronous duodenal ulcers is an uncommon but possible incident of which the clinician should be aware. To our knowledge, this is the first case published in the literature.

Is it possible to reduce the surgical mortality and morbidity of peptic ulcer perforations?

Objective

Peptic ulcer perforation is a life-threatening situation requiring urgent surgical treatment. A novel vision in peptic ulcer perforation is necessary to fill the gaps created by antiulcer medication, aging of the patients, and presentation of resistant cases in our era. In this study, we aimed to share our findings regarding the effects of various risk factors and operative techniques on the mortality and morbidity of patients with peptic ulcer perforation.

Material and Methods

Data from 112 patients presenting at our Training and Research Hospital Emergency Surgery Department between January 2010 and December 2015 who were diagnosed with PUP through physical examination and laboratory and radiological tests and operated at the hospital have been retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into three groups based on morbidity (Group 1), mortality (Group 2), and no complication (Group 3).

Results

Of the 112 patients included in the study, morbidity was observed in 21 (18.8%), mortality in 11 (9.8%), and no complication was observed in 80 (71.4%), who were discharged with cure. The differences between group for the average values of the perforation diameter and American Society of Anesthesiologists, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II, and Mannheim Peritonitis Index scores were statistically significant (p<0.001 for each). The average values for the group with mortality were significantly higher than those of the other groups.

Conclusion

In this study where we investigated risk factors for increased morbidity and mortality in PUPs, there was statistically significant difference between the average values for age, body mass index, perforation diameter, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II and Mannheim Peritonitis Index scores among the three groups, whereas the amount of subdiaphragmatic free air did not differ.

[Combination of endoscopic methods in diagnostics and surgical treatment of perforative duodenal ulcer]

AIM

To present the results of perforative duodenal ulcer surgical management using combination of endoscopic methods.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 279 patients with perforative duodenal ulcer who were operated for the period from 1996 to 2012. Diagnostics and medical tactics were based on developed in our clinic algorithm that includes use of both esophagogastroduodenoscopy and laparoscopy.

CONCLUSION

Presented technique confirmed correct diagnosis, defined medical tactics and choice of surgery in 100% of cases. 67 patients had contraindications for laparoscopic suturing and underwent conventional operations. Herewith postoperative complications and death were observed in 25 (37.3%) and 9 (13.4%) patients respectively. Laparoscopic suturing was performed in 212 patients. Complications were diagnosed in 19 (8.9%) cases including 8 (3.7%) intraoperative and 11 (5.2%) postoperative. Deaths were absent.

Chronic subclinical perforation of a duodenal ulcer presenting with an abdominal abscess in a patient with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis

Peptic ulcer disease has been a major problem since the turn of this century with high morbidity and mortality. Perforation is less common, with an estimated incidence of 7-10 per 100 000. We present a young woman with rheumatoid arthritis presenting with anaemia. On work up, she was found to have a chronic abdominal abscess secondary to subclinical perforation of a duodenal ulcer. After undergoing percutaneous drainage, she became haemodynamically unstable and was taken for surgical washout and jejunostomy tube placement. A week later she had a decrease in the size of the abscess and was discharged home with drain and tube feeds. At her follow-up a few weeks later, she was tolerating goal tube feeds.

Strategies to improve the outcome of emergency surgery for perforated peptic ulcer

BACKGROUND

Perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) is a common surgical emergency that carries high mortality and morbidity rates. Globally, one-quarter of a million people die from peptic ulcer disease each year. Strategies to improve outcomes are needed.

METHODS

PubMed was searched for evidence related to the surgical treatment of patients with PPU. The clinical registries of trials were examined for other available or ongoing studies. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs), systematic reviews and meta-analyses were preferred.

RESULTS

Deaths from peptic ulcer disease eclipse those of several other common emergencies. The reported incidence of PPU is 3.8-14 per 100,000 and the mortality rate is 10-25 per cent. The possibility of non-operative management has been assessed in one small RCT of 83 patients, with success in 29 (73 per cent) of 40, and only in patients aged less than 70 years. Adherence to a perioperative sepsis protocol decreased mortality in a cohort study, with a relative risk (RR) reduction of 0.63 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 0.41 to 0.97). Based on meta-analysis of three RCTs (315 patients), laparoscopic and open surgery for PPU are equivalent, but patient selection remains a challenge. Eradication of Helicobacter pylori after surgical repair of PPI reduces both the short-term (RR 2.97, 95 per cent c.i. 1.06 to 8.29) and 1-year (RR 1.49, 1.10 to 2.03) risk of ulcer recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Mortality and morbidity from PPU can be reduced by adherence to perioperative strategies.

Perforated duodenal ulcer presenting with a subphrenic abscess revealed by plain abdominal X-ray films and confirmed by multi-detector computed tomography: a case report

Introduction

Peptic ulcer disease is still the major cause of gastrointestinal perforation despite major improvements in both diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. While the diagnosis of a perforated ulcer is straightforward in typical cases, its clinical onset may be subtle because of comorbidities and/or concurrent therapies.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 53-year-old Caucasian man with a history of chronic myeloid leukemia on maintenance therapy (100mg/day) with imatinib who was found to have a subphrenic abscess resulting from a perforated duodenal ulcer that had been clinically overlooked. Our patient was febrile (38.5°C) with abdominal tenderness and hypoactive bowel sounds. On the abdominal plain X-ray films, a right subphrenic abscess could be seen. On contrast-enhanced multi-detector computed tomography, a huge air-fluid collection extending from the subphrenic to the subhepatic anterior space was observed. After oral administration of 500cm³ of 3 percent diluted diatrizoate meglumine, an extraluminal leakage of the water-soluble iodinated contrast media could then be appreciated as a result of a perforated duodenal ulcer. During surgery, the abscess was drained and extensive adhesiolysis had to be performed to expose the duodenal bulb where the ulcer was first identified by methylene blue administration and then sutured.

Conclusions

While subphrenic abscesses are well known complications of perforated gastric or duodenal ulcers, they have nowadays become rare thanks to advances in both diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for peptic ulcer disease. However, when peptic ulcer disease is not clinically suspected, the contribution of imaging may be substantial.

Emergent laparoscopy in treatment of perforated peptic ulcer: a local experience from a tertiary centre in Saudi Arabia

Background/ purpose

Perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) is still an existing disease that occurs frequently in the 21st century despite of the wide availability of antiulcer medication and Helicobacter eradication. The current study aimed to evaluate the hypothesis that its outcome might be improved by using the laparoscopy. The outcome of treatment in terms of complications, mortality and hospital stay with relevant to laparoscopy was analyzed.

Patients and methods

This prospective descriptive study was carried on the period of 3 years from July 2009 till July 2012. All patients with acute abdominal pain that was clinically diagnosed as having perforated peptic ulcer were included. Excluded from this study were those patients with concomitant bleeding from the ulcer and evidence of gastric outlet obstructions. Also excluded were those with evidence of large perforation more than 10 mm and patients with symptoms of more than 36 h durations for fear of septic shock.

Results

Forty seven patients were studied out of a total 53 PPU patients; they were 41 males and 6 females with the male to female ratio of 6.8:1. Their age ranged from 19 to 55 years with the mean age of 39.5 ± 8.6 years. Forty five patients were successfully treated by laparoscopy while only 2 cases that were early presented with signs of hypovolumic shock were converted into laparotomy due to severe bleeding. The mean hospital stay was 75 ± 12.6 h. Post operative complications included death of one patient in the postoperative period at the Intensive care unit (ICU) plus post operative fever in the 2 patients who underwent laparotomy and it was amenable to treatment.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic repair of a perforated peptic ulcer is an amenable and feasible technique within the hands of experienced laparoscopic surgeon when the cases are early and properly diagnosed.

Laparoscopic simple closure alone is adequate for low risk patients with perforated peptic ulcer

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori (H.P.) eradication has led to a significant decline in peptic ulcer prevalence; however, the number of patients requiring surgical intervention remains relatively unchanged. Laparoscopy suture repair is the most commonly used procedure for perforated peptic ulcer (PPU). Whether omental patch adds any benefit than simple closure alone is not answered.

METHODS

From July 2007 to August 2010, patients received emergency surgeries for PPU in our department were enrolled in this study. The demographic data, disease pattern, surgical outcomes were retrospectively collected. Patients who had previous multiple operations, with profound shock, and complicated ulcers were excluded.

RESULTS

Totally 73 patients were enrolled. 26 of them received simple closure and the other 47 received simple closure plus an omental patch. There were no difference in age, gender, ASA, Boey risk score, and incidence of co-morbidities. The Mannheim Peritonitis index, median operation time and length of stay were not different between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In terms of leakage rate and surgical outcome, the maneuver to cover an omental patch on the repaired PPU did not show additional advantages compared to simple closure alone. Further prospective randomized study is required to clarify the safety and feasibility of simple closure alone without buttressing an omentum patch.

Diagnostic indicators for peptic ulcer perforation at a tertiary care hospital in Thailand

Introduction

Limited data currently exists regarding the diagnostic indicators of peptic ulcer perforation for early detection among patients in Thailand. Delayed diagnosis and treatment for an ulcer can be life-threatening, resulting in shock or death.

Objective

To determine the diagnostic indicators of peptic ulcer perforation.

Material and methods

A cohort study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Thailand from 2005 to 2009. Peptic ulcer patients aged 15 years and over admitted to the surgical department were included. The diagnostic indicators used criteria of the patients’ final diagnoses and operations, coded according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision, which included patient profiles, gender, age, coexisting illnesses, personal habits, signs and symptoms, laboratory investigations, radiological finding, and treatment role. Exponential risk regression analyses to obtain relative risk (RR) estimates for diagnostic indicators were analyzed using Stata^® statistical software package, version 11 (StataCorp LP, College Station, TX).

Results

The study included 1290 patients. Of these, 57% reported perforated peptic ulcer. Multivariate analysis showed five diagnostic indicators: signs and symptoms including intense abdominal pain (RR = 1.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14–2.06), tenderness (RR = 1.94, 95% CI 1.17–3.21), and guarding (RR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.05–2.20); X-ray with free air (RR = 2.80, 95% CI 2.08–3.77); and referral from other hospitals (RR = 1.37, 95% CI 1.03–1.82).

Conclusion

Five diagnostic indicators for peptic ulcer perforation monitoring were suggested from this study. Improving diagnostic indicators for medical care may improve the outcome of patients that have perforated peptic ulcer.

Changes in the localization of perforated peptic ulcer and its relation to gender and age of the patients throughout the last 45 years

Background

Throughout recent decades there has been noticeable change in the incidence of peptic ulcer disease and its complications. The aim of the present study was to determine the character of changes over the last 45 years in the localization of perforation, in patient age, and in patient gender.

Methods

A group of 881 patients admitted to the Second Department of General Surgery in Krakow, Poland, from 1962 to 2006 were included in the study and constituted the material for the analysis. The study was divided into three time periods (1962–1976, 1977–1991, and 1992–2006) to allow statistical analysis of trends.

Results

The general incidence of perforations of peptic ulcer did not show changes; however, the percentage of women with perforated duodenal ulcer markedly increased. Patients with perforated stomach ulcer—regardless of gender—and females suffering from perforated duodenal ulcer were, on the average, about 10 years older than males with perforated duodenal ulcers. The mean age of male and female patients with perforated duodenal ulcer over the last 45 years showed an insignificant upward trend.

Conclusions

(1) The percentage of women with perforated duodenal ulcer continuously and statistically significantly rose. (2) Men with perforated duodenal ulcer were significantly younger than other patients. (3) The mean ages of male and female patients with perforated duodenal ulcer over the last 45 years showed an insignificant upward trend.

Decreasing incidence of peptic ulcer complications after the introduction of the proton pump inhibitors, a study of the Swedish population from 1974-2002

Background

Despite a decreasing incidence of peptic ulcer disease, most previous studies report a stabile incidence of ulcer complications. We wanted to investigate the incidence of peptic ulcer complications in Sweden before and after the introduction of the proton pump inhibitors (PPI) in 1988 and compare these data to the sales of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA).

Methods

All cases of gastric and duodenal ulcer complications diagnosed in Sweden from 1974 to 2002 were identified using the National hospital discharge register. Information on sales of ASA/NSAID was obtained from the National prescription survey.

Results

When comparing the time-periods before and after 1988 we found a significantly lower incidence of peptic ulcer complications during the later period for both sexes (p < 0.001). Incidence rates varied from 1.5 to 7.8/100000 inhabitants/year regarding perforated peptic ulcers and from 5.2 to 40.2 regarding peptic ulcer bleeding. The number of sold daily dosages of prescribed NSAID/ASA tripled from 1975 to 2002. The number of prescribed sales to women was higher than to males. Sales of low-dose ASA also increased. The total volume of NSAID and ASA, i.e. over the counter sale and sold on prescription, increased by 28% during the same period.

Conclusion

When comparing the periods before and after the introduction of the proton pump inhibitors we found a significant decrease in the incidence of peptic ulcer complications in the Swedish population after 1988 when PPI were introduced on the market. The cause of this decrease is most likely multifactorial, including smoking habits, NSAID consumption, prevalence of Helicobacter pylori and the introduction of PPI. Sales of prescribed NSAID/ASA increased, especially in middle-aged and elderly women. This fact seems to have had little effect on the incidence of peptic ulcer complications.

The effect of surgical subspecialization on outcomes in peptic ulcer disease complicated by perforation and bleeding

BACKGROUND

Emergency surgical services in Edinburgh were restructured in July 2002 to deliver subspecialist management of colorectal and upper-gastrointestinal emergencies on separate sites. The effect of emergency subspecialization on outcome from perforated and bleeding peptic ulceration was assessed.

METHODS

All patients admitted with complicated peptic ulceration (January 2000-February 2005) were identified from a prospectively compiled database.

RESULTS

Perforation: 148 patients were admitted with perforation before the service reorganization (period A - 31 months) of whom 126 (85.1%) underwent surgery; 135 patients were admitted in period B (31 months) of whom 114 (84.4%) were managed operatively. The in-hospital mortality was lower in period B (14/135, 10.4%) than period A (30/148, 20.3%; P = 0.023; relative risk (RR), 0.51; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.28-0.91). There was a significantly higher rate of gastric resection in the second half of the study (period A 1/126 vs. period B 8/114; P = 0.015; RR, 8.84; 95% CI, 1.48-54.34). Length of hospital stay was similar for both groups. Bleeding: 51 patients underwent operative management of bleeding peptic ulceration in period A and 51 in period B. There were no differences in length of stay or mortality between these two groups.

CONCLUSION

Restructuring of surgical services with emergency subspecialization was associated with lower mortality for perforated peptic ulceration. Subspecialist experience, intraoperative decision-making, and improved postoperative care have all contributed to this improvement.

Perforated peptic ulcer: use of pre-admission oral glucocorticoids and 30-day mortality

BACKGROUND

Despite evidence that use of glucocorticoids increases the risk of complicated peptic ulcer disease, limited data exist on how use of oral glucocorticoids affects outcome for patients with peptic ulcer perforation.

AIM

To examine 30-day mortality from peptic ulcer perforation among pre-admission oral glucocorticoid users compared with non-users.

METHODS

We identified 2061 patients with a first-time hospital discharge diagnosis of perforated peptic ulcer, using population-based discharge registries in three Danish counties. Data on use of glucocorticoids and other ulcer-related drugs, previous hospitalizations for uncomplicated peptic ulcer disease, and comorbidity were obtained from discharge registries and prescription databases. Follow-up data on mortality were provided by the Danish Civil Registry System.

RESULTS

A total of 228 patients (11.1%) were exposed to glucocorticoids within 60 days of admission. Overall 30-day mortality rate was 25.2%, the corresponding rate among current glucocorticoid users was 39.4%. Compared with 'never users', the adjusted mortality ratio among current users of oral glucocorticoids alone was 2.1 (95% CI: 1.5-3.1). Among current users of oral glucocorticoids in combination with other ulcer-related drugs the mortality ratio was 1.5 (95% CI: 1.1-2.1).

CONCLUSION

Pre-admission use of oral glucocorticoids is associated with up to a twofold increase in 30-day mortality among patients hospitalized with perforated peptic ulcer.

Helicobacter pylori risk associated with childhood home environment

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is considered to be a cause of gastric ulcer, gastric cancer and other diseases. The relationship between infection and the hygiene or housing circumstances of such patients in their childhood was explored. The study subjects were those who applied for a H. pylori antibody test, and were asked to fill out a questionnaire enclosed with a test kit, inquiring as to their hygiene and housing conditions when they were 10 years old. Of 5971 applicants, 5854 agreed to participate in the study. Associations between the six factors in the questionnaire and infection were calculated, and adjusted for sex, age and district. Drinking water, type of toilet, residential area, number of people in the house, and birth order showed significant correlations with H. pylori infection. The odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 0.73 (0.55-0.96) for tap water, 0.72 (0.63-0.84) for flush toilets, 0.74 (0.66-0.83) for urban location, 1.34 (1.09-1.64) for 7 or more people in the household, 1.19 (1.00-1.41) for 4th or 5th in birth order, and 1.47 (1.17-1.85) for 6th or more in birth order. No significant association with breast feeding was observed. These results suggest that infection with H. pylori may be associated with water-related sanitary factors in childhood, and that the bacillus may be transmitted within a family.