AN ANALYSIS OF THE RESULTS OF THE SURGICAL TREATMENT OF 260 CONSECUTIVE CASES OF CHRONIC PEPTIC ULCER OF THE DUODENUM

Abstract

The fact that patients in whom chronic peptic ulcer develops have a psychobiologic lability above normal is well recognized. The reason for the unstable clinical status observed in this postoperative study is, therefore, not far to seek. There are many shades and nuances between the well group and the improved group, and also among the individuals comprising these groups. Most of the postoperative complications appear to occur within the first two years, but they may occur at any time later. Gastric resection is the best method available at present for the treatment of the complications of chronic peptic ulcer of the duodenum but is not ideal in that it is only relatively better than less extensive surgical procedures. This report is made in order to serve as a basis for future comparison and study, and it may be said to result from a search for a surgical procedure which combines in the highest degree both safety and efficacy.