Triple-ostomy: management of perforations to the second part of the duodenum in patients unfit for definitive surgery.

Peptic ulcers in the second part of the duodenum are a rare occurrence and present challenging management. Conventional surgical operations are associated with life threatening complications. We describe a case of a perforated duodenal ulcer in a medically unstable patient who was deemed unfit for lengthy definitive surgery. An emergency laparotomy and 'triple-ostomy' was performed. We recommend this procedure as an alternative for the emergency repair of D2 ulcers, especially in patients with multiple co-morbidities.