[Evaluation of the surgical treatment of duodenal ulcers. Apropos of 616 patients operated on in Bujumbura].

From 1982 to 1989, 616 patients were operated for duodenal ulcers in Bujumbura. 497 were men and 119 females. The mean age was 38.4. The indication for surgery was the failure of medical treatment for 56.8%. Other complications presented 41.4% and 1.8% of the patients had recurring ulcer after previous operation. The study was divided into two periods: Period I (1982-1985) and period II (1986-1989). During Period I, we observed a rapid drop of frequency in interventions and the indication for complication constituted 58% of the total surgical interventions. In period II, the frequency of interventions increased and the indication for complications did not exceed 35.6%. Ulcerous stenosis remained the most frequent complication. The choice of surgical intervention is changing into favour of techniques like highly selective vagotomy.