Acid Secretion in Patients with a Perforated Duodenal Ulcer

Abstract

Mason, M. C., Brennan, T. G. & Giles, G. R. 1973. Acid Secretion in Patients with a Perforated Duodenal Ulcer. Scand. J. Gastroent. 8, 421-424.

‘Maximal’ gastric acid secretion has been measured in a consecutive series of patients with perforated duodenal ulcers. It was found to be significantly higher than normal levels both in the patients who had a history of chronic dyspepsia prior to the perforation and also in those in whom there were few, if any previous symptoms. The long-term prognosis following simple suture of the perforation was good in the cases of ‘acute’ perforations but poor if there had been prolonged pre-operative dyspepsia. This prognosis was not related to the levels of acid secretion.

Key-words::

• Gastric acidity determination
• gastric juice
• histamine
• peptic ulcer perforation
• stomach