Simple hemostatic procedure for hemorrhagic duodenal ulcer: two cases of arterial hemorrhage quickly controlled by balloon compression.

We utilized balloon compression in two cases of arterial hemorrhage from duodenal ulcers. The bleeding was quickly controlled in both cases. The advantages of this technique are its simplicity and ease of performance, and the fact that it does not require precise identification of the bleeding point in the duodenal bulb. No serious complications, such as perforation or stenosis, are associated with this technique. During the healing of the ulcer, balloon expansion may result in decreased duodenal bulb deformity. The following points, however, should be clarified in future studies: a) the stability of the duodenal bulb after longer-term balloon compression, and b) the optimum amount of cold water to be injected into the balloon and the optimum compression time.