Introduction: The perforated gastroduodenal ulcer remains a challenge for surgeons even in the era of effective anti-ulcer medications. This study was performed to identify risk factors associated with early surgical morbidity and mortality of patients with perforated ulcers and how to improve the clinical outcomes.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 444 patients who underwent operations for the perforated ulcers in a tertiary medical center located in central Taiwan between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2002. Demographic data, intraoperative findings, surgical procedures, complications, and outcomes were analyzed. Statistical significance was attributed to p<0.05.
Results: The mean age was 54.5 19.3 years. Male to female ratio was 344:100. Overall surgical mortality and morbidity rates were 12.6% and 24.8%, respectively. Four risk factors were identified by multiple logistic regression analyses including age 70 years old, Bp < 90 mmHg on presentation, duration of perforation 24 hours, and medical comorbidity. Operative morbidity and mortality correlated with the number of risk factors. The duration of time from the onset of pain to the presentation to the ER and workup time at ER before surgical consultation was significantly longer among patients who died or developed postoperative complications (p<0.005). Vagotomy and antrectomy were associated with higher mortality and with more major complications than other procedures in patients with risk factors.
Conclusions: In order to improve the outcome of patients with ulcer perforation, delay in treatment should be minimized and early surgical consult is important. Appropriate selection of surgical techniques is crucial especially among patients with risk factors.