Bleeding duodenal ulcer and the flier.

Over the years, the aeromedical disposition of aircrew members with bleeding duodenal ulcer has been a vexing problem because two essential questions cannot be categorically answered: Is the risk of rebleeding less with medical or with surgical treatment? In either case, is the risk of rebleeding low enough to permit, with reasonable prudence, the resumption of aircrew duties by the aviator? To try to answer these questions, the author has reviewed a portion of the literature and a number of medical records of patients with bleeding duodenal ulcer. With this information, the author draws his conclusions and offers recommendations for the aeromedical disposition of such aircrewmen.