Complications of Duodenal Ulcer

Abstract

The complications of duodenal ulcer may create confusing diagnostic problems. In a series of 2,818 cases of duodenal ulcer reviewed by the authors, intractability, hemorrhage, acute or chronic perforation, and obstruction accounted for hospitalization of 1,553 patients.

All patients with intractable conditions were treated surgically, while the majority of those hospitalized for hemorrhage were treated medically. Operation was performed in most cases of perforation and in all but the mild cases of obstruction. In considering the mortality in this series, the authors suggest closer collaboration between internist and surgeon as the most likely means of improving results of treating duodenal ulcer.