Perforated peptic ulcer disease in Zewditu Hospital
Asefa, Z.; G/eyesus, A.
Ethiopian Medical Journal 50(2): 145-151
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 0014-1755 PMID: 22924283 Document Number: 656610
Peptic ulcer perforation is a serious complication of peptic ulcer disease with a significant morbidity and mortality. To evaluate 76 patients operated for peptic ulcer perforation and analyse the associated factors in Zewditu Memorial Hospital, Addis Ababa from September 2006 to August 2008. A retrospective analysis of medical records of 76 patients who were operated up on for perforated peptic ulcer over a two year period (2006-2008). The male to female ratio was 6.6:1 with a mean age being 31.5 years. The most common presenting symptom was abdominal pain in 76 (100%) patients. History of smoking and khat chewing was documented in 53/64 (82.8%) and 48/64 (75%) of the patients respectively. Twenty five per cent of the patients gave no history of previous peptic ulcer disease. Seventy patients (92.1%) presented after 48 hours of their illness. The mean hospital stay was 14.5 days. Leucocytosis was found in 31.6% of the cases. Sixty five (85.5%) patients had duodenal ulcer perforation. Postoperative complications occurred in 24 (31.6%) patients. Twelve (15.8%) patients died in the hospital. Early presentation of patients and change in life style may reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with peptic ulcer perforation.