Laparoscopic Repair of Perforated Duodenal Ulcer (Series of 50 Cases)

Background: Perforated peptic ulcer is a common surgical emergency. The classic treatment is the mid-line laparotomy. However, laparoscopic treatment has been shown to be reliable. Few studies have evaluated its overall utility. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of laparoscopic repair of perforated duodenal ulcer. Patients and Methods: This study included 50 patients presented by perforated peptic ulcer between July 2009 and August 2014. They were submitted to laparoscopic omental patch repair with thorough peritoneal wash. Patients’ demographics, diagnostic techniques, management and outcome were evaluated. Results: The mean age was 38.6 years with male to female ratio being 1.6:1. The perforation was diagnosed by plain X-ray abdomen in erect position in 43 patients and by abdominal CT scan in 7 patients. The laparoscopic repair of the perforation was successful in 48 patients while in 2 patients mid-line laparotomy was needed for proper control of the severe intra-abdominal sepsis. Post-operatively, all patients tolerated soft diet on the 3rd post-operative day and full diet on the 4th post-operative day. The mean duration of hospital stay was 4.5 days. Two patients developed post-operative intra-abdominal collection that was treated by ultrasound guided drainage, three patients developed umbilical port site wound infection while only two patients developed leakage, one of them reoperated after failed conservative surgery. No mortality was encountered in the study. Conclusion: Laparoscopic repair of perforated peptic ulcer is a safe and reliable technique with accepted morbidity and mortality rates with all the advantages of the minimally invasive surgery.