Acute gastric ulceration--a prospective study of incidence and results of management.

During a prospective six year study from 1972-1978 there were 894 admissions to a haematemesis and melaena unit. In 162 admissions bleeding was due to acute gastric ulceration, an incidence of 18%. The group comprised 157 patients, five patients being admitted on two occasions. There were 12 deaths (7%), seven after surgery and five in conservatively treated patients. A significant fall in incidence of admissions was noted in the final two year period of study. The reason for this is unknown as no other cause of haematemesis and melaena showed a similar fall in incidence. In addition over this two year period patients with acute ulceration followed a more benign course and required surgery less often.