Minerva chirurgica
-
In elderly the incidence of the emergency gastric ulcer complications, perforation and bleeding are increasing, with a difficult management of these patients for their concomitant diseases. The aim of this work is to analyze the therapeutical approach of emergency gastric ulcer complications in elderly patients, in order to establish the factors affecting the morbidity and mortality. ⋯ Our results suggest that the early diagnoses and early treatment are 2 basic factor on the prognosis of elderly patients with perforated gastric ulcer. The choice between simple closure, with or without vagotomy, or gastrectomy depends from preoperative and operative health conditions of the patient. In patients with ulcer larger than 2 cm, Graham's technique can be performed safely if the preoperative and intraoperative conditions are favourable. Elderly patients with gastric ulcer bleeding show an high risk of morbidity and mortality, related to the risk factors like non steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) intake or smoke. Repeated endoscopy and antiulcer drugs can manage the high stage patients of Forrest's classification with a low rate of morbidity and mortality. According to literature surgical treatment should be reserved after the second failure of endoscopic treatment.