Abstract

A retrospective study was performed to determine the significance of various risk factors on mortality and morbidity in patients with duodenum ulcer perforation operated between years 1980 and 1990 at the Department of Surgery Aegean University Faculty of Medicine. Similarly the variations In the patient population during the two live year intervals before and after 1985 have been investigated to understand, whether, persistence of H2 receptor blocker therapy influenced the patterns and outcome of duodenal ulcer perforations. Coexisting medical diseases, blood urea level, low mean arterial blood pressure, and the diameter of the perforated duodenal ulcer have emerged as significant factors in predicting the risk of mortality and morbidity. The incidence of perforated duodenal ulcers decreased during the second five year period between 1980 and 1985, however, a significant increase in mortality was noted during the same period.