[Perforated peptic ulcer in patients with cancer: prediction of postoperative morbidity and mortality]. / Probodnaya yazva u patsientov s onkologicheskimi zabolevaniyami: prognozirovanie posleoperatsionnykh oslozhnenii i letal'nogo iskhoda.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze treatment outcomes and approaches to predicting the postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients with perforated ulcers and cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A non-randomized trial included 194 patients. The first group enrolled 45 (23%) patients with perforated ulcers and concomitant cancer who underwent at the oncology center; the second group included 149 (77%) patients with perforated ulcers and no cancer who underwent surgery in general surgical hospitals. Organ-sparing procedures prevailed (40 (88.9%) and 138 (92.6%) cases, respectively). Resections were performed in 5 (11.1%) and 11 (7.4%) patients respectively. Analyzing the factors affecting treatment outcomes, we studied crude (COR) and adjusted (AOR) odds ratios. ROC-analysis was used to assess diagnostic significance of the models for prognosis of morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: Length of hospital-stay was 10 (range 9-14) and 8 (range 7-9) days respectively. Postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grading system) occurred in 18 (40%) in 37 (24.8%) patients, respectively. According to multivariate analysis, predictors of complications in patients of the first group were treatment with NSAIDs/glucocorticoids and Charlson-Deyo index >3. Sensitivity of this model was 82.4%, specificity - 75.0%. Postoperative mortality was 15.6% (n=7) and 7.4% (n=11) respectively. According to multivariate analysis, predictors of mortality were age over 65 years and more than 5 chemotherapeutic courses. Sensitivity of the model was 85.7%, specificity - 97.4%. CONCLUSION: The stratified approach makes it possible to improve prediction of postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients with perforated ulcers.

Duodenal ulcer perforation: A systematic literature review and narrative description of surgical techniques used to treat large duodenal defects.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus on optimal surgical treatment of large duodenal defects arising from perforated ulcers, even though such defects are challenging to repair and inadequate repair is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to carry out a systematic literature review of different surgical techniques used to treat large duodenal perforations, provide a narrative description of these techniques, and propose a framework for approaching this pathology. METHODS: PubMed/MEDLINE database was searched for articles published in English between January 1, 1970, and December 1, 2020. Studies describing surgical techniques used to treat giant duodenal ulcer perforation and their outcomes in adult patients were included. No quantitative analysis was planned because of the heterogeneity across studies. RESULTS: Out of 960 identified records, 25 studies were eligible for inclusion. Two randomized controlled trials, one case-control trial, three cohort studies, 14 case series, and 5 case reports were included. Eight main surgical approaches are described, ranging from simple damage-control operations, such as the omental plug and triple-tube techniques, all the way to complex resections, such as gastrectomy. CONCLUSION: Evidence on surgical treatment of large duodenal defects is of poor quality, with the majority of studies corresponding to Oxford levels 3b-4. Current evidence does not support any single surgical technique as superior in terms of morbidity or mortality, but choice of technique should be guided by several factors including location of the perforation, degree of duodenal tissue loss, hemodynamic stability of the patient, as well as expertise of the operating surgeon. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: SR with more than two negative criteria, Level IV.

Evaluating the Evolving Morbidity of Omentoplasty for Perforated Peptic Ulcer Disease.

Mortality for perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) surgery ranges from 2-22% with morbidity ranging from 15-45%. Traditionally, these had been repaired with vagotomy and antrectomy or pyloroplasty with smaller perforations repaired with an omentoplasty. Laparoscopic repair has become increasingly prevalent and demonstrated to have shorter length of stay (LOS) and fewer complications. We are evaluating the surgical repair of PPU with omentoplasty to determine trends of utilization and surgical outcomes. We conducted a 13-year (2005-2017) retrospective review, utilizing the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. A total of 6873 patients had open or laparoscopic repair of a PPU, with 2285 patients identified as utilizing omentoplasty. Five hundred eighty-eight omentoplasty patients were further identified as having a laparoscopic technique. We compared patient demographics, comorbidities, and perioperative morbidity and mortality for surgical patients between 2005-2011 and 2012-2017. We trended the perioperative outcomes across the study intervals. Parametric and nonparametric tests were used to evaluate outcomes. Between 2005 and between 2017, laparoscopic surgical repair with omentoplasty has increased from 3.8% to 34.6%. Overall mortality for open operations declined during this interval (12.7%-9.3%) while it remained unchanged for laparoscopic operations (4.6%-4.2%), there was not a significant difference between the laparoscopic and open 30-day mortality. Both open surgery and laparoscopic surgery are being used on an increasingly healthy cohort (increased functional status decreased predicted perioperative morbidity). Relative to the 2005-2011, the laparoscopic surgery 2012-2017 cohort had increases in both serious and overall morbidity, although this was not statistically significant. Compared to the 2005-2011, the 2012-2017 open surgery cohort had increasing serious morbidity (OR 2.03) and overall morbidity (OR 1.91). There was a trend of decreasing LOS and increased return to the operating room for patients with laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic Graham patch repair of peptic ulcers significantly increased, although open repair still constitutes the majority of the cases. Despite Graham patch repair being utilized on a healthier patient population, morbidity and mortality for laparoscopic repair have remained unchanged. Postoperative morbidity and mortality for open surgery have increased. This indicates that laparoscopic repair is more commonly utilized for low- or medium risk patients, leaving an increasingly sick patient population selected to open repair.

Perforated Peptic Ulcer Disease in a Tertiary Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Five Year Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Peptic ulcer perforation is one of the two major acute complications of peptic ulcer disease with significant morbidity and mortality. METHODS: Institution based retrospective review was done to determine patient presentation, management and postoperative complications of perforated peptic ulcer disease (PPUD) at a tertiary hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Patients operated on from January 2013 to December 2017 were included. Univalent analysis was used to determine the influence of patient and operative events on postoperative outcomes. RESULT: Totally, 136 patients were studied. Males outnumbered females by a ratio of 5.5:1. The mean age of patients was 36.05±16.56 years. Seventy-one (52.2%) patients presented after twenty-four hours of onset of symptoms. Most perforations were located on the first part of the duodenum (117,86%). There were 73 postoperative complications recorded in 31(22.8%) patients. Old age, being female, presence of comorbidity, hypotension, tachycardia, and delayed presentation were significantly associated with postoperative morbidity (P<0.05). Nine (6.6%) patients died at the hospital. Mortality was significantly associated with old age, comorbid illness, tachycardia, and development of post-operative complications (P<0.05). The postoperative hospital stay of the patients with complications was 18.6 ± 14.7 days which was significantly higher than that of patients without complication 6.7±2.7days (P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Old age, being female, presence of comorbidity, hypotension, tachycardia, and delayed presentation were significantly associated with postoperative morbidity. Old age, comorbid illness, tachycardia and development of post-operative complications were found to increase the risk of mortality.

Delay in Source Control in Perforated Peptic Ulcer Leads to 6% Increased Risk of Death Per Hour: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Delay to theatre for patients with intra-abdominal sepsis is cited as a particular risk factor for death. Our aim was to evaluate the potential relationship between hourly delay from admission to surgery and post-operative mortality in patients with perforated peptic ulcer (PPU). METHODS: All patients entered in the National Emergency Laparotomy Audit who had an emergency laparotomy for PPU within 24 h of admission from December 2013 to November 2017 were included. Time to theatre from admission was modelled as a continuous variable in hours. Outcome was 90-day mortality. Logistic regression adjusting for confounding factors was performed. RESULTS: 3809 patients were included, and 90-day mortality rate was 10.61%. Median time to theatre was 7.5 h (IQR 5-11.6 h). The odds of death increased with time to operation once adjustment for confounding variables was performed (per hour after admission adjusted OR 1.04 95% CI 1.02-1.07). In patients who were physiologically shocked (N = 334), there was an increase of 6% in risk-adjusted odds of mortality for every hour Em Lap was delayed after admission (OR 1.06 95% CI 1.01-1.11). CONCLUSION: Hourly delay to theatre in patients with PPU is independently associated with risk of death by 90 days. Therefore, we suggest that surgical source control should occur as soon as possible after admission regardless of time of day.

Laparoscopic repair of perforated peptic ulcer is not prognostic factor for 30-day mortality (a nationwide prospective cohort study).

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgery has become increasingly popular in treating perforated peptic ulcer (PPU). However, currently it is not recognized as a prognostic factor for mortality within this group of patients. The aim of this study was to investigate whether laparoscopic surgery was an independent mortality risk factor in patients treated surgically for perforated peptic ulcer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a Danish nationwide cohort study based on prospectively collected data of 1008 patients treated surgically for PPU between September 2011 and December 2015. A propensity score matching analysis, considering most of the known prognostic factors for mortality and baseline characteristics, was used to adjust mortality estimates in patients treated with open and laparoscopic surgery. The primary outcome was postoperative 30-day mortality. RESULTS: The study population comprised 1008 patients; 507 were treated laparoscopically and 501 by open surgery. There was significantly higher mean age, and higher ASA scores, as well as other mortality risk factors in the open surgery group. The unadjusted 30-day mortality was significantly lower in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery compared to open surgery (HR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.36-0.65). After matching and weighting controls, the adjusted difference in mortality was reduced and was not significant (HR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.59-1.15). The 30-day mortality was 13.1% for laparoscopy and 14.7% for the matched controls in the open surgery group. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to open surgery, laparoscopic surgery in patients with PPU does not reduce short term mortality. More well powered randomized clinical trials are needed to investigate the role of laparoscopic surgery in treatment of patients with PPU.

An evaluation of the epidemiology, management and outcomes for perforated peptic ulcers across the North of England over 15 years: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The management of perforated peptic ulcers has evolved over time and includes laparoscopic or open repair, and conservative management. The utilisation of, and outcomes from these strategies are not clear. Trends in epidemiology, management and outcomes for perforated peptic ulcer across the North of England over a 15-year period were analyzed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Emergency General Surgical admissions data from nine NHS trusts in the North of England from 2002 to 2016 were collected and analyzed, including demographics, interventions and outcomes. Cases were identified using ICD-10 codes K25, K26 and K27 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 0.6. RESULTS: Peptic ulcer perforation accounted for 2373 of 491141 admissions (0.48%), with a decreased incidence over time (0.62% in 2002-2006 to 0.36% in 2012-2016). Over the 15 years studied, an increasing proportion of cases were managed laparoscopically (4.5%-18.4%, p < 0.001) and under upper-gastrointestinal consultants (15.4%-28.6%, p < 0.001). Thirty-day inpatient mortality improved significantly over time (20.0%-10.8%, p < 0.001) as did mean length of stay (17.3-13.0 days, p = 0.001). Independent predictors of increased 30-day mortality were increasing age, Charlson co-morbidity score, clinical and operative risk, earlier year of admission, winter admission, weekend/bank holiday procedure and management strategy, with laparotomy and conservative management increasing risk. CONCLUSION: Outcomes (30-day mortality and LOS) improved significantly over the study period. Laparoscopic approach was increasingly utilised and was an independently significant factor associated with improved mortality. Management by upper-gastrointestinal specialists increased rates of laparoscopy, with fewer conversions to open.

Is the Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio a Potential Biomarker for Predicting Mortality in Peptic Ulcer Perforation?

Background: Despite surgical treatment of peptic ulcer perforation (PUP), the high rates of morbidity and mortality have motivated researchers to search for new laboratory markers to predict morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between pre-operative laboratory values and demographic factors and post-operative mortality in patients undergoing surgery for PUP. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study was made of the clinical findings and laboratory data of patients operated on for a diagnosis of PUP in the general surgery clinic between 2014 and 2018. The patients were separated into two groups according to survival (PUP-S) or mortality (PUP-M) and the differences between the groups were evaluated. Result: In the analysis of the patient data, age (p = 0.014), female gender (p = 0.005), length of stay in hospital (p = 0.009), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) (p = 0.09), and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (p = 0.010) values were determined to be high and lymphocyte count was low (p = 0.046) in the PUP-M group. A positive correlation was determined between mortality and age, length of stay in hospital, PLR, and NLR (p < 0.05). A substantial negative correlation was determined between mortality and gender and lymphocyte count (p < 0.05). As a result of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, it was determined that a PLR value <322.22 (p = 0.009) and lymphocyte count <0.67 × 103 microliter (p = 0.035) could have diagnostic value in the prediction of the possibility of mortality in patients operated on because of PUP. Conclusion: This study results suggested that PLR, NLR, and lymphocyte count values could be used as new biomarkers to identify the mortality risk in patients operated on for peptic ulcer perforation.

The influence of payor status on outcomes associated with surgical repair of upper gastrointestinal perforations due to peptic ulcer disease in the United States.

BACKGROUND: An association between lack of insurance and inferior outcomes has been well described for a number of surgical emergencies, yet little is known about the relationship of payor status and outcomes of patients undergoing emergent surgical repair for upper gastrointestinal (UGI) perforations. We evaluated the association of payor status and in-hospital mortality for patients undergoing emergency surgery for UGI perforations in the United States. METHODS: Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) was queried to identify patients between 18 and 64 years of age who underwent emergent (open or laparoscopic) repair for UGI perforations secondary to peptic ulcer disease (2010-2014). Primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were major and minor postoperative complications. The main predictor outcome was insurance status (Private, Medicaid, Uninsured). Univariate and multivariable regression analyses were performed. Data were weighted to provide national estimates. RESULTS: 21,005 patients underwent surgical repair for UGI perforations. Patients with private insurance represented the largest payor group (47%). After adjustment of other factors, payor status was not a statistically significant predictor of in-hospital mortality (Medicaid vs. Private: [OR] 1.1; 95% [CI] 0.67-1.81; Uninsured vs. Private: OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.52-1.61). However, payor status remained a statistically significant predictor of major postoperative complications (Medicaid vs. Private [OR] 1.4; 95% CI 1.1, 1.8; Uninsured vs. Private [OR]1.2, 95% CI 0.9, 1.5) and minor postoperative complications (Medicaid vs. Private [OR] 1.4; 95% CI 1.1, 1.9; Uninsured vs. Private [OR]1.2, 95% CI 0.9, 1.6). CONCLUSIONS: Emergency surgery for UGI perforations is associated with high mortality and morbidity across all payor classes; however, Medicaid is a predictor for both major and minor postoperative complications. Preventing perforation through preventative measures will be key to reducing the burden of peptic ulcer disease across all populations.

Surgical repair of perforated peptic ulcers: laparoscopic versus open approach.

INTRODUCTION: Perforated peptic ulcers are a surgical emergency that can be repaired using either laparoscopic surgery (LS) or open surgery (OS). No consensus has been reached on the comparative outcomes and safety of each approach. METHODS: Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database, we conducted a 12-year retrospective review (2005-2016) and identified 6260 adult patients who underwent either LS (n = 616) or OS (n = 5644) to repair perforated peptic ulcers. To mitigate selection bias and adjust for the inherent heterogeneity between groups, we used propensity-score matching with a case (LS):control (OS) ratio of 1:3. We then compared intraoperative outcomes such as operative time, and 30-day postoperative outcomes including infectious and non-infectious complications, and mortality. RESULTS: Propensity-score matching created a total of 2462 matched pairs (616 in the LS group, 1846 in the OS group). Univariate analysis demonstrated successful matching of patient characteristics and baseline clinical variables. We found that OS was associated with a shorter operative time (67.0 ± 28.6 min, OS versus 86.9 ± 57.5 min, LS; P < 0.001) but a longer hospital stay (8.6 ± 6.2 days, OS versus 7.8 ± 5.9 days, LS; P = 0.001). LS was associated with a lower rate of superficial surgical site infections (1.5%, LS versus 4.2%, OS; P = 0.032), wound dehiscence (0.3%, LS versus 1.6%, OS; P = 0.030), and mortality (3.2%, LS versus 5.4%, OS; P = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Fewer than 10% of patients with perforated peptic ulcers underwent LS, which was associated with reduced length of stay, lower rate of superficial surgical site infections, wound dehiscence, and mortality. Given our results, a greater emphasis should be provided to a minimally invasive approach for the surgical repair of perforated peptic ulcers.

[Perforated duodenal ulcer in high risk patients]. / Operatsiia ushivaniia perforativnoi iazvy dvenadtsatiperstnoi kishki u bol'nykh gruppy riska.

AIM: To improve the outcomes in patients with perforated duodenal ulcers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cohort study included 456 patients with perforated duodenal ulcer. High risk of mortality was determined in 9% of patients (n=40) considering Boey diagnostic criteria (1982, 1987). There were 19 women and 21 men aged 59±2.8 years. RESULTS: Perforated duodenal ulcer was followed by overall mortality near 3.8%. In high risk group this value was 17.5% (7 out of 40 patients) while expected mortality was 45.5-100% in these patients in view of Boey criteria. The main causes of death were multiple organ failure, pulmonary embolism and acute myocardial infarction. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive surgery including step-by-step procedures (mini-laparotomy, laparoscopy and navigation) are the key to improve the outcomes in patients with perforated duodenal ulcer.

Perforated Peptic Ulcer Surgery: Decreased Length of Stay but No Difference in Mortality with Laparoscopic Repair.

BACKGROUND: Perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) surgery mortality ranges 1% to 24%. We hypothesized a decrease in length of stay (LOS) with laparoscopic surgical repair (LSR) compared with open surgical repair (OSR). METHODS: Patients undergoing PPU surgery 2005 to 2015 were identified in NSQIP. LSR was compared with OSR 2005 to 2015. LSR 2005 to 2010 was compared with 2011 to 2015. OSR 2005 to 2010 was compared with 2011 to 2015. The primary outcome was LOS. Secondary outcomes were mortality and morbidity. RESULTS: Between 2005 and 2015, LSR had a decreased LOS, was more likely to wean from the ventilator, but had no significant difference in mortality compared with OSR. There was no significant difference in mortality for LSR or OSR over time. CONCLUSIONS: When patients are appropriately selected, LSR for PPU is a viable alternative to OSR, decreasing LOS and pulmonary complications. This demonstrates significant benefit to patients and hospital throughput.

End Stage Renal Disease Is Associated with Increased Mortality in Perforated Gastroduodenal Ulcers.

Patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) represent a growing subset of surgical candidates and ESRD status has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality in other operations. Using a national database, we examined outcomes and risk factors for patients presenting with perforated gastroduodenal ulcers undergoing omentopexy. We identified adult and emergent patients with perforated duodenal and gastroduodenal ulcers that underwent omentopexy using the 2005 to 2012 Nationwide Inpatient Sample. We identified patients with ESRD status and assessed comorbidity status using the Elixhauser-van Walraven score. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Inpatient mortality was the primary outcome. Six thousand five hundred and twenty-one patients were identified. Median age was 59.0 years, majority were male (55.56%), 79 (1.21%) patients had ESRD, 367 (5.63%) patients died during admission. Multivariable logistic regression showed age (OR 2.71, P < 0.0001), Elixhauser-van Walraven score (OR 2.69, P < 0.0001), and ESRD status (OR 3.88, P < 0.0001) as independent risk factors for mortality. ESRD was associated with increased mortality in patients undergoing omentopexy for perforated gastroduodenal ulcers. Future studies are necessary to identify methods to increase perioperative survival.

Laparoscopy is an available alternative to open surgery in the treatment of perforated peptic ulcers: a retrospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Perforated peptic ulcers (PPU) remain one of the most frequent causes of death. Their incidence are largely unchanged accounting for 2-4% of peptic ulcers and remain the second most frequent abdominal cause of perforation and of indication for gastric emergency surgery. The minimally invasive approach has been proposed to treat PPU however some concerns on the offered advantages remain. METHODS: Data on 184 consecutive patients undergoing surgery for PPU were collected. Likewise, perioperative data including shock at admission and interval between admission and surgery to evaluate the Boey's score. It was recorded the laparoscopic or open treatments, the type of surgical procedure, the length of the operation, the intensive care needed, and the length of hospital stay. Post-operative morbidity and mortality relation with patient's age, surgical technique and Boey's score were evaluated. RESULTS: The relationship between laparoscopic or open treatment and the Boey's score was statistically significant (p = 0.000) being the open technique used for the low-mid group in 41.1% and high score group in 100% and laparoscopy in 58.6% and 0%, respectively. Postoperative complications occurred in 9.7% of patients which were related to the patients' Boey's score, 4.7% in the low-mid score group and 21.4% in the high risk score group (p = 0.000). In contrast morbidity was not related to the chosen technique being 12.8% in open technique and 5.3% in laparoscopic one (p = 0.092, p > 0.05). 30-day post-operative mortality was 3.8% and occurred in the 0.8% of low-mid Boey's score group and in the 10.7% of the high Boey's score group (p = 0.001). In respect to the surgical technique it occurred in 6.4% of open procedures and in any case in the Lap one (p = 0.043). Finally, there was a statistically significant difference in morbidity and mortality between patients < 70 and > 70 years old (p = 0.000; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy tends to be an alternative method to open surgery in the treatment of perforated peptic ulcer. Morbidity and mortality were essentially related to Boey's score. In our series laparoscopy was not used in high risk Boey's score patients and it will be interesting to evaluate its usefulness in high risk patients in large randomized controlled trials.

Short-term outcomes after emergency surgery for complicated peptic ulcer disease from the UK National Emergency Laparotomy Audit: a cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: This study used national audit data to describe current management and outcomes of patients undergoing surgery for complications of peptic ulcer disease (PUD), including perforation and bleeding. It was also planned to explore factors associated with fatal outcome after surgery for perforated ulcers. These analyses were designed to provide a thorough understanding of current practice and identify potentially modifiable factors associated with outcome as targets for future quality improvement. DESIGN: National cohort study using National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA) data. SETTING: English and Welsh hospitals within the National Health Service. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients admitted as an emergency with perforated or bleeding PUD between December 2013 and November 2015. INTERVENTIONS: Laparotomy for bleeding or perforated peptic ulcer. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was 60-day in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included length of postoperative stay, readmission and reoperation rate. RESULTS: 2444 and 382 procedures were performed for perforated and bleeding ulcers, respectively. In-hospital 60-day mortality rates were 287/2444 (11.7%, 95% CI 10.5% to 13.1%) for perforations, and 68/382 (17.8%, 95% CI 14.1% to 22.0%) for bleeding. Median (IQR) 2-year institutional volume was 12 (7-17) and 2 (1-3) for perforation and bleeding, respectively. In the exploratory analysis, age, American Society of Anesthesiology score and preoperative systolic blood pressure were associated with mortality, with no association with time from admission to operation, surgeon grade or operative approach. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing surgery for complicated PUD face a high 60-day mortality risk. Exploratory analyses suggested fatal outcome was primarily associated with patient rather than provider care factors. Therefore, it may be challenging to reduce mortality rates further. NELA data provide important benchmarking for patient consent and has highlighted low institutional volume and high mortality rates after surgery for bleeding peptic ulcers as a target for future research and improvement.

Meta-analysis of perioperative outcomes of acute laparoscopic versus open repair of perforated gastroduodenal ulcers.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is the treatment of choice for perforated peptic ulcer disease. The aim of the present review was to compare the perioperative outcomes of acute laparoscopic versus open repair for peptic ulcer disease. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science. RESULTS: The search included eight RCTs: 615 patients comparing laparoscopic (307 patients) versus open peptic perforated ulcer repair (308 patients). Only few studies reported the Boey score, the Acute Physiologic Assessment and Chronic Health Evaluation score, and the Mannheim Peritonitis Index. In the RCTs, there is a significant heterogeneity about the gastric or duodenal location of peptic ulcer and perforation size. All trials were with high risk of bias. This meta-analysis reported a significant advantage of laparoscopic repair only for postoperative pain in first 24 hours (-2.08; 95% confidence interval, -2.79 to -1.37) and for postoperative wound infection (risk ratio, 0.39; 95% confidence interval, 0.23-0.66). An equivalence of the other clinical outcomes (postoperative mortality rate, overall reoperation rate, overall leaks of the suture repair, intra-abdominal abscess rate, operative time of postoperative hospital stay, nasogastric aspiration time, and time to return to oral diet) was reported. CONCLUSION: In this meta-analysis, there were no significant differences in most of the clinical outcomes between the two groups; there was less early postoperative pain and fewer wound infections after laparoscopic repair. The reported equivalence of clinical outcomes is an important finding. These results parallel the results of several other comparisons of open versus laparoscopic general surgery operations-equally efficacious with lower rates of wound infection and improvement in some measures of enhanced speed or comfort in recovery. Notably, the trials included have been published throughout a considerable time span during which several changes have occurred in most health care systems, not least a widespread use of laparoscopy and increase in the laparoscopic skills. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Systematic review and meta-analysis, level III.

The natural history of perforated foregut ulcers after repair by omental patching or primary closure.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of perforated foregut ulcers by omental patching (OP) or primary closure has mostly replaced vagotomy and pyloroplasty/antrectomy (VPA). We sought to determine the natural history and recurrence rate of ulceration in patients treated by omental patching or primary closure. STUDY DESIGN: An 11-year retrospective study. RESULTS: From 2004 through 2015, 94 patients had perforated foregut ulcers, 53 gastric, and 41 duodenal. 77 (82%) were treated by OP alone (study group) and 17 (18%) were treated with VPA (comparison group). All OP patients were discharged on PPIs, but only 86% took the drugs for a median of 22 months (1-192, SD 40). Endoscopy in the OP group showed recurrent ulcers in nine (12% recurrence rate) and gastritis in three (4%) This group also had three later recurrent perforations. Another recurrent ulcer hemorrhaged causing death (3% late mortality). Two other patients required non-emergent re-do ulcer operations for recurrent disease/symptoms (surgical re-intervention rate 4%). Total length of follow-up was median 44 months (1-192, SD 40) and was complete in 82 (87%). 18 (23%) patients in the OP group developed recurrent abdominal pain attributed to ulcer disease during follow-up, compared to 2 (12%) in the VPA group (p = 0.15). No patient in the VPA group had an endoscopic recurrence or re-intervention. CONCLUSION: Omental patching does not correct the underlying disease process which causes foregut perforation, and has a 12% endoscopically proven recurrent ulceration rate and a 23% incidence of recurrent symptoms within 44 months. Patients tend to stop taking PPIs after 22 months at which time their risk increases.

Influence of national centralization of oesophagogastric cancer on management and clinical outcome from emergency upper gastrointestinal conditions.

BACKGROUND: In England in 2001 oesophagogastric cancer surgery was centralized. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether centralization of oesophagogastric cancer to high-volume centres has had an effect on mortality from different emergency upper gastrointestinal conditions. METHODS: The Hospital Episode Statistics database was used to identify patients admitted to hospitals in England (1997-2012). The influence of oesophagogastric high-volume cancer centre status (20 or more resections per year) on 30- and 90-day mortality from oesophageal perforation, paraoesophageal hernia and perforated peptic ulcer was analysed. RESULTS: Over the study interval, 3707, 12 441 and 56 822 patients with oesophageal perforation, paraoesophageal hernia and perforated peptic ulcer respectively were included. There was a passive centralization to high-volume cancer centres for oesophageal perforation (26·9 per cent increase), paraoesophageal hernia (19·5 per cent increase) and perforated peptic ulcer (23·0 per cent increase). Management of oesophageal perforation in high-volume centres was associated with a reduction in 30-day (HR 0·58, 95 per cent c.i. 0·45 to 0·74) and 90-day (HR 0·62, 0·49 to 0·77) mortality. High-volume cancer centre status did not affect mortality from paraoesophageal hernia or perforated peptic ulcer. Annual emergency admission volume thresholds at which mortality improved were observed for oesophageal perforation (5 patients) and paraoesophageal hernia (11). Following centralization, the proportion of patients managed in high-volume cancer centres that reached this volume threshold was 88·0 per cent for oesophageal perforation, but only 30·3 per cent for paraoesophageal hernia. CONCLUSION: Centralization of low incidence conditions such as oesophageal perforation to high-volume cancer centres provides a greater level of expertise and ultimately reduces mortality.

Preoperative factors influencing mortality and morbidity in peptic ulcer perforation.

PURPOSE: Perforated peptic ulcer is one of the most common surgical emergencies worldwide. With the improvement in medical therapy for peptic ulcers, the number of elective surgical procedures has come down. However, the incidence of perforated peptic ulcer is still increasing and remains as a substantial health problem with significant postoperative morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to find out the association between various preoperative and intraoperative factors with the postoperative mortality and morbidity in patients operated for peptic ulcer perforation. METHODS: This prospective observational study had a time based sample of 101 perforation peritonitis cases admitted to the surgical wards of a tertiary care center from February 2015 to January 2016 who underwent laparotomy, diagnosed to have peptic ulcer perforation and underwent simple closure with an omental patch. Data regarding age, gender, presenting complaints, time elapsed from the onset of symptoms to surgery, physical examination findings, comorbid diseases, laboratory and imaging findings, intraoperative findings, length of hospital stay, postoperative morbidity, and mortality were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Female gender, older age group, perforation surgery interval more than 36 h, and size of perforation more than 1 cm2 were found to be significant factors influencing postoperative mortality and morbidity. Postoperative morbidity was also associated with comorbid diseases. Abnormal renal function on presentation was identified as an additional risk factor for postoperative morbidity and longer hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: An understanding of these factors, identification of patients at risk and early intervention can help in reducing the postoperative morbidity and mortality in peptic ulcer perforation.

Effect of Esophageal Cancer Surgeon Volume on Management and Mortality From Emergency Upper Gastrointestinal Conditions: Population-based Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To study the influence of esophageal cancer surgeon volume upon mortality from upper gastrointestinal emergencies. BACKGROUND: Volume-outcome relationships led to the centralization of esophageal cancer surgery. METHODS: Hospital Episode Statistics data were used to identify patients admitted to hospitals within England (1997-2012). The influence of esophageal high-volume (HV) cancer surgeon status (≥5 resections per year) upon 30-day and 90-day mortality from esophageal perforation (EP), paraesophageal hernia causing obstruction or gangrene (PEH) and perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) was analyzed, independent of HV esophageal cancer center status and patient and disease-specific confounding factors. RESULTS: A total of 3707, 12,411, and 57,164 patients with EP, PEH, and PPU, respectively, were included. The observed 90-day mortality was 36.5%, 11.5%, and 29.0% for EP, PEH, and PPU, respectively.Management by HV cancer surgeon was independently associated with significant reductions in 30-day and 90-day mortality from EP (odds ratio, OR 0.51, 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.40-0.66), PEH (OR=0.70, 95% CI 0.53-0.91), and PPU (OR=0.85, 95% CI 0.7-0.95). Subset analysis of those patients receiving primary surgery as treatment showed no change in mortality when performed by HV cancer surgeons.However HV cancer surgeons performed surgery as primary treatment more commonly for EP (OR=2.38, 95% CI 1.87-3.04) and PEH (OR=2.12, 95% CI 1.79-2.51). Furthermore surgery was independently associated with reduced mortality for all 3 conditions. CONCLUSION: The complex elective workload of HV esophageal cancer surgeons appears to lower the threshold for surgical intervention in specific upper gastrointestinal emergencies such as EP and PEH, which in turn reduces mortality.