Duodenal ulcer perforation whilst on cimetidine therapy

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Nine cases of perforation whilst patients received cimetidine therapy were identified and followed prospectively. There was a high correlation with the other major complications of duodenal ulceration: pyloric stenosis and haemorrhage. Initially, three of the nine patients had simple suture of the perforation, but eventually all required truncal vagotomy and a drainage procedure. The follow-up ranges from 6 months to 2.5 years and the results in the surviving patients are good. The pre-operative identification of this group, being established medical failures with the high probability of requiring necessary definitive surgery, will aid the surgical management of this condition.