Laparoscopic and open operation in patients with perforated peptic ulcer

Objectives: To compare the results of laparoscopic and open operations in p atients with perforated peptic ulcer. Design: Retrospective analysis. Setting: Central hospital, Norway Subjects: 74 patients (36 men, 38 women, median age 69.5 years (18-86)) adm itted with perforated peptic ulcers from November 1991-May 1996. Interventions: Suture of the ulcer, patching with the greater omentum and l avage, in 49 by open operation and 25 laparoscopically. Main outcome measures: Duration of postoperative hospital stay, operating t ime, number of doses of analgesic, postoperative body temperature, complica tions, and mortality. Results: There was a significant difference (p = 0.0001) in median operatin g time: 100 minutes (range 48-160) in the laparoscopic group and 50 minutes (range 20-160) in the open group. The median hospital stay was 8 days in b oth groups: range 3-23 days in the laparoscopic group and 2-28 days in the open group. There were no significant differences between the two groups wi th regard to median number of doses of analgesic, median body temperature, complications or mortality. Conclusion: Laparoscopic operation for perforated peptic ulcer can be consi dered as safe as open operation.