The management of bleeding acute gastric erosions: the role of gastric hypothermia.

Eighty-eight consecutive patients with bleeding acute gastric erosions were reviewed with the aid of a computer. Of the eroisons, 31-8 per cent were related to the ingestion of ulcerogenic drugs and 40-9 per cent were associated with surgery and sepsis. The overall mortality was 20-5 per cent. Endoscopy was the most effective diagnostic examination. Conservative management was effective in the treatment of bleeding erosions due to the ingestion of ulcerogenic drugs. Gastric cooling successfully arrested haemorrhage from bleeding erosions due to surgery and sepsis.