Risk factors predicting operative mortality in perforated peptic ulcer disease.

Following the introduction of H2-blockers and proton pump inhibitors, there has been a sharp decrease in elective peptic ulcer surgery. However, emergency operations for complications such as perforation are on the rise. This study was undertaken to review the factors which determine mortality following emergency surgery for peptic ulcer perforation. A prospective study of all patients who underwent surgery at our institute for peptic ulcer perforation between September 1999 and August 2001 was carried out. One hundred seventy-four patients underwent surgery for perforated peptic ulcer. Risk of death was related to age more than 60 years, shock at presentation, delay more than 24 hours prior to surgery and size of perforation more than 5 mm. Perforated peptic ulcer disease remains a frequent clinical problem associated with a significant postoperative mortality.