Emergency digestive endoscopy in hemorrhages of the upper gastrointestinal tract in aged patients
Reina, G.; Zelli, G.P.
Annali Italiani di Chirurgia 53(2): 181-190
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-469X PMID: 6975052 Document Number: 182115
Cases of 104 patients subjected to emergency endoscopy for upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage were reviewed. In 95 patients in which the nature of the lesion and its site could be definitely diagnosed by endoscopy, the case material was divided into 3 age groups: under 30 yr of age 30-60 yr old and over 60 yr old. The importance of emergency fibroendoscopy, especially in aged patients, is emphasized, since it permits discovery of the source of the hemorrhage in a high number of cases and points to the proper medical or surgical approach. The various diagnoses arrived at included: esophageal varices, gastric ulcer, benign gastric tumors, malignant gastric tumors, acute erosive gastritis, ulcer due to stress, duodenal ulcer (the largest number), duodenal tumors and postoperative peptic ulcer.