PERFORATED PEPTIC ULCER

Thirty years ago the mortality rate of perforated ulcer trearcd operatively was often over 20%. Now with simple closure, or in selected cases with the addition of definitive surgery for ihe chronic lesion, the mortality rate should be below 5%. For few surgical conducing have modern anaesthesia and intelligent pre- and postoperative management paid greater dividends. For the patient perforation is one of the most frightening and painful experiences, but with prompt diagnosis and rapid but thoughtful planning the surgeon can give remarkably complete reassurance that treatment by operation will be successful. © 1968, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.