Laparoscopic and conventional closure of perforated peptic ulcer. A comparison.

BACKGROUND

After the first successful laparoscopic closure of a perforated peptic ulcer in 1990, 18 patients with laparoscopic closure were compared to 16 patients with conventional surgery.

METHODS

The endpoint adverse events (complications), pain intensity, operation time, fever, leucocytosis, and duration of hospital stay showed no clinically relevant differences.

RESULTS

Consumption of analgesics was lower in the laparoscopic group.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic closure of perforated peptic ulcer is technically feasible. The safety of the method and the benefit for the patient need proof by means of a randomized controlled trial.