GASTRODUODENAL PERFORATION, A FREQUENT SURGICAL EMERGENCY. REVIEW AND DESCRIPTIVE STUDY

INTRODUCTION Perforated gastroduodenal ulcer represents a common surgical emergency and is associated with a morbimortality close to 40-50%. HP infection, tobacco and alcohol and some socioeconomic aspects represent the most commonly described risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS A descriptive and retrospective study was performed between 2018-2020. A total of 40 patients with a history of gastroduodenal perforation were selected. Data corresponding to: sex, age, ulcer location, treatment, tobacco and alcohol consumption, HP infection (presence or not of eradicating treatment) and other potential risk factors were collected and analysed. The aim of the study is to assess how new lifestyle changes, the evolution and improvement in the management of PH infection and the general decrease in smoking have modified the classic profile of patients with gastroduodenal perforations. RESULTS Gastroduodenal perforations predominated in the fifth/sixth decade of life (mean age 59 years). Although a predominance in men is described in the literature, in our sample no significant sex differences were found (1:1 ratio). The most frequent location was duodenal and the reference surgical treatment was primary suture + epipoplasty. Only one third of the patients had a known history of peptic ulcer. CONCLUSIONS Gastroduodenal perforations are a major problem for the on-call surgeon. It is essential to know the current risk factors and their potential relationship with morbimortality and postoperative evolution in order to guarantee the optimal management of these patients.