Complications of Peptic Ulcer Disease in Geriatric Patients*

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Many patients with the complications of peptic ulcer disease are in the geriatric age group. This is partly the result of the overall increase in this segment of the population in recent years, and partly the result of delay in the referral of younger patients with intractable forms of the disease. Hemorrhage is the most common life‐threatening manifestation of peptic ulcer in the geriatric patient. Prompt evaluation by esophagogastroscopy and barium x‐ray examination is of paramount importance in proper management. Perforation of peptic ulcer is less common in the elderly. When diagnosed, it requires immediate surgical treatment. Pyloric obstruction should be suspected in a patient with chronic nutritional depletion, superimposed acute dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and even shock. Nasogastric decompression of the dilated stomach and re‐establishment of fluid and electrolyte balances should be attended to before carrying out definitive surgical treatment.Geriatric patients tolerate major surgery relatively well, but only if special attention is given to associated medical and metabolic abnormalities. Chronic obstructive lung disease with diminished pulmonary reserve is among the most common of these associated disorders. The prevention of serious pulmonary complications demands aggressive management both before and after operation for peptic ulcer. Diminished cardiovascular reserve must be taken into account if postoperative congestive heart failure or pulmonary edema is to be prevented. The presence of renal disease also should be evaluated as a factor in postoperative complications.

This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit: