Mallory-Weiss syndrome

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The Mallory-Weiss syndrome, which is often precipitated by heavy alcohol consumption, is characterized by upper gastrointestinal bleeding through lacerations in the gastric mucosa following repeated bouts of retching and/or vomiting. Considered rare among the general population until the advent of fiberoptic endoscopy, the syndrome is still thought to be a rarity among community hospital patients. In this article, Dr Ansari dispels this misconception using clinical data from 12 of his own patients and discusses the syndrome from pathogenesis to prognosis.