Duodenal ulcer perforation and pneumothorax: a case report.

Pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum are rarely observed as a complication of perforated peptic ulcer, which is a common cause of acute abdomen. We report a case of a 30-year-old male patient with abdominal pain and respiratory distress. Resulting from physical examination and laboratory data of the patient, acute abdomen and pneumothorax were diagnosed simultaneously. Laparotomy revealed duodenal ulcer perforation and a simple patch closure was performed. No complications were observed during the postoperative course of the patient.