Laparoscopic repair of perforated peptic ulcers. The role of laparoscopy in generalised peritonitis

This non-randomised concurrent cohort study conducted in two teaching hospi tal Departments of Surgery examined the assumption that the benefits of ele ctive laparoscopic upper gastrointestinal surgery would apply to those with generalised peritonitis due to perforated peptic ulcers. It compared 20 consecutive laparoscopic repairs of perforated peptic ulcers with a concurrent group of 16 consecutive open repairs. There were no differences pre-operatively between the two groups. The mean duration of surgery was similar (P = 0.46). There were no differences in the rate of GI tract recovery, but opiate anal gesia requirement in the laparoscopic group was significantly less (P < 0.0 001). Intensive care was required in three patients in the laparoscopic group (tw o with renal failure) and two in the open (no renal failure). Two patients in the laparoscopic and one in the open group died. The median duration of stay was five days in the laparoscopic group and six in the open. This comparison shows that the patho-physiological insult of lapasroscopy i n the setting of generalised peritonitis does not obviously increase the pe ri-operative risk of organ failure hut objective benefits are small.