Treatment and mortality of perforated peptic ulcer: a survey of 852 cases.

All proved cases of perforated peptic ulcer occurring in the Greater Vancouver area during the decade 1959-1968 have been studied. The incidence of perforation was approximately 10 per 100,000 population. The mean age was 55 years and the peak age incidence was in the fifth decade. The site of perforation was pyloroduodenal in 88% of cases and simple closure was the treatment employed in 81%. The overall mortality rate was 18.3% and one-third of these fatalities were due to misdiagnosis. The operative mortality rate was 9%.The overall mortality rate was significantly greater among women and the elderly, in gastric perforations, and in perforations occurring between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m.A close correlation was found between operative mortality rate and the time interval between perforation and operation. This elapsed time was found to be significantly greater among women and the elderly, in gastric perforations and in perforations occurring during the night.