Laparoscopic treatment of peptic ulcer disease and its complications.

Peptic ulcer disease will eventually affect more than 3-4% of the Occidental population. The medical management of this disease, including H2 Blockers, proton pump inhibitors and antihelicobacter therapy, has been well defined and has been very successful. However, the treatment of chronic duodenal ulcer disease has been less successful, thus subjecting these patients to long term disability. It is with chronic duodenal ulcer disease as well as with its complications, such as bleeding, obstruction or perforation, where the surgeon can impact, using laparoscopic surgical techniques as an added therapeutic option.