ACUTE SURGICAL-TREATMENT OF COMPLICATED PEPTIC-ULCERS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE ELDERLY

The results of 136 consecutive patients treated surgically for the acu te complications of peptic ulcers between 1990 and 1993 are reviewed, All patients required emergency operation, Among 136 patients, 91 had perforations, 42 hemorrhage,and 3 a penetrated peptic ulcer, The media n age was 77 years; 65% were women: and 83% were more than 60 years ol d, Concurrent disease requiring medical treatment were present in 92 p atients: 79 patients (58%) were currently or recently taking antiinfla mmatory drugs at the time of admission; 66% of the patients had duoden al ulcer, Only 46 patients (34%) had no postoperative complications; p neumonia, arrhythmia, bleeding, and septic complications were the most frequent. The overall mortality was 30%. Sepsis and multiple organ fa ilure was the leading cause of death in most of the patients. It was c oncluded that elderly individuals using two or more antiinflammatory d ongs should be considered potential peptic ulcer patients anti should be treated prophylactically with ulcer-healing drugs.