Late results of perforated duodenal ulcer treated by simple suture

Abstract A study was performed of 156 patients who underwent follow‐up evaluations 3 to 23 years (mean 13 years) after simple closure of a perforated duodenal ulcer. Subsequent definitive ulcer surgery was indicated in 111 patients (71%) for severe recurrent dyspepsia. Bleeding, reperforation or pyloric obstruction occurred in 14 patients (9%). Among 33 patients (21%) with an ulcer history of less than 3 months prior to perforation, only 4 (12%) required further surgery while a subsequent operation was indicated in 107 of 123 patients with a longer ulcer history. Immediate definitive surgery is indicated for perforated duodenal ulcer in patients with ulcer symptoms for more than 3 months before perforation. Simple suture of the perforation is sufficient treatment for patients with a shorter ulcer history.